Treating Graves’
Disease in Austin
While Graves’ disease is not extremely common, it is still important to receive treatment if you start noticing the symptoms. Dr. Shah Vira and her team are here to provide compassionate and effective treatment for Graves’ disease in Austin. We work closely with our patients to find what their condition is and then prescribe the ideal treatment plan to get them back to their best.
With expert Graves’ disease treatment, you can protect your overall health and enjoy eye improvements. If you have noticed the symptoms of this condition, Dr. Shah Vira is here at Texas Neuro Eye & Plastic Surgery to help you take care of the issue and get your eyes back to their best.
Texas Neuro Eye & Plastic Surgery
What Is Graves’ Disease and How Do I Treat It?
Graves’ disease is what we call an autoimmune condition. Typically, it can affect several parts of your body at once, including the thyroid gland, the eye area (orbit), skin, and more. While the precise cause is yet to be discovered, the most like cause is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
What is Thyroid Eye Disease?
Thyroid eye disease (TED) may occur in patients who already know they have thyroid disease, or sometimes it’s the first problem that brings the person to the doctor’s office. The symptoms that occur in thyroid eye disease include dry eyes, watery eyes, red eyes, bulging eyes, a “stare,” double vision, difficulty closing the eyes, and problems with vision. Thyroid eye disease can occur in patients who are hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, or even euthyroid (normal thyroid labs).
Thyroid eye disease can affect the eyes in multiple ways. Eyelid changes or proptosis (bulging eyes) can lead to dryness, redness, and corneal infections, pain, and blurred vision. Enlarged eye muscles can pull the eye in different directions leading to double vision. Inflammation of the tissue in the eye socket (orbit) as well as enlarged eye muscles can sometimes push on the optic nerve causing permanent and irreversible blindness.
How can TED be treated?
Mild symptoms can be treating with lubricating eye drops, prescription eye drops, or prismatic glasses. More moderate or severe cases typically require oral medications, surgery, and/or initiation of the FDA approved medication Tepezza, which has been successful in avoiding surgery for many patients. If surgery is required, surgical options include orbital decompression (to decrease the bulging eyes), eye muscle surgery (to help with double vision), and eyelid surgeries.
Should I Get Treatment for Graves’ Disease?
If you start to notice the symptoms of Graves’ disease, then we almost always recommend receiving some kind of treatment. This can range from minor treatments to surgical procedures that can reduce eye bulging. To learn about what your ideal treatment could be, contact Dr. Shah Vira and her staff at Texas Neuro & Eye Plastic Surgery.
Some of the signs that you have Graves’ disease include:
- Bulging or protruding eyeballs
- Worsening vision or loss of vision
- Eye movement limitations
- Dry eyes or excessive tearing
- Sensation of pain or irritation behind the eyes
When you notice any of these symptoms, we recommend coming in to have a consultation with Dr. Shah Vira and an eye exam. Graves’ disease also tends to have several other symptoms that are not related to the eye, including:
- Insomnia
- Heat intolerance
- Sweating
- Tremors
- And more
Excellent service Dr. Shah Vira very nice and very helpful. Everything in the office clean and professional.
joshua s
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Before and After Photos
What Is the Procedure Like?
Orbital decompression surgery is the most common way to treat the bulging eye aspect of Graves’ disease. This procedure involves creating more space in the orbital socket, allowing your eye to return to its natural position, both looking and feeling better. We typically conduct this procedure under full anesthesia and it can take up to a couple of hours. Any incisions are typically hidden so that any scarring is invisible.
What Is the Recovery Process Like?
Patients can typically be able to see as soon as they wake up from their procedure. However, it is normal to have some pain and swelling for a week or two. But we can provide you with both instructions and medication to keep these under control until they fade away.
While recovering, it will be important not to blow your nose or perform activities that strain the treatment area. It is also normal for patients to come in for a follow up appointment for us to check on the progress of their recovery.
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How Are the Results?
The procedure provides immediate results, however you will need to wait until the swelling around the eye goes away to be able to see your final results. While this procedure fixes the cosmetic and functional position of your eyes, patients may need to have other treatment’s for other symptoms of Graves’ disease itself. We recommend you see the appropriate specialists for getting care for the other symptoms such as insomnia, tremors, and any others present.
Schedule Your
Consultation Today
Call us or use our online form to get started by setting up your consultation for treating Graves’ diseases in Austin, Texas. The team at Texas Neuro Eye & Plastic Surgery is here to provide you with a compassionate experience that delivers results to keep your overall health preserved. Contact us today to learn more about our treatments & procedures and how they provide the help you need.
