Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic results of orbital decompression for severe thyroid orbitopathy.
Methods: The records of 27 patients (30 eyes) having undergone orbital decompression of one wall, two walls and three walls for severe thyroid orbitopathy were analyzed for changes in visual acuity, visual field or pattern visual evoked potential, movement and reduction in proptosis. The indications were corneal exposure, severe proptosis and optic neuropathy.
Results: After surgery, the patients were followed up for a mean of 13.7 months. The visual acuity improved obviously in 19 eyes (63.3%), visual acuity was improved slightly in 4 eyes (13.3%), visual acuity kept in 0.2 - 0.8 (no change) in 4 cases (13.3%), visual acuity deteriorated obviously and not recovered in 3 eyes (10.0%). Proptosis was decreased by a mean of 3.6 mm (range 1 - 7 mm), the decrease >/= 2.0 mm being in 93.3% eyes.
Conclusion: Orbital decompression is effective in improving vision in most patients with severe thyroid associated ophthalmopathy, and the proptosis can be effectively improved.