Objective: Graves' Orbitopathy (GO) has well established treatment guidelines; however, its management is still controversial. The aim was to evaluate the results of medial and mediolateral orbital decompression (OD) in intractable GO.
Methods: Retrospective chart review of all patients with advanced stages of GO, who underwent medial (1-wall) or mediolateral (2-wall) OD between May 2012 and November 2014 in our institution. Ophthalmologic examinations included visual acuity, Hertel exophthalmometry (proptosis), intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field (30:2) and diplopia. Follow-up was performed 1 week, 3 months and 1 year postoperatively. Additionally, a questionnaire was used to investigate subjective benefits.
Results: The study included 34 eyes of 20 patients. In our study, GO patients who underwent mediolateral OD had significantly higher IOP preoperatively (p<0.05) and lower visual acuity, proptosis and visual field compared with patients who underwent medial OD. After 1- and 2-wall OD, visual acuity, proptosis, visual field and IOP in upgaze improved significantly. Using a questionnaire, the patients reported significant improvements in impaired vision, eye pain and pressure, vitality and social life. 94% of all patients reported they would repeat the operation. After 2-wall OD, the surgical scar had little effect.
Conclusion: With GO patients in advanced stages, both medial (1-wall) and mediolateral (2-wall) OD procedures are convincing therapeutic options. In more advanced GO stages with high IOP, 2-wall OD should be prioritized, as mediolateral OD had superior long-term functional outcomes.
Keywords: Diplopia; Intraocular pressure; Orbital decompression; Proptosis; Visual acuity; Visual field.
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