Center for Thyroid Eye Disease

Center for Thyroid Eye Disease

 A team approach to managing patients with thyroid eye disease.

Multiple disciplines for a comprehensive approach
Our team of specialists includes a neuro-ophthalmologist, adult strabismologist, orbital and oculoplastic surgeon and orthoptist.  The team provides innovative multidisciplinary care that offers the latest diagnostic and treatment options for patients with thyroid eye disease.  They are also dedicated researchers striving to advance medical understanding and develop new therapies for thyroid eye disease. 

Referring physician partnership
The patient’s referring physician is an important member of the team.  We are dedicated to providing the best possible care for our patients and are committed to keeping them fully informed.

Our Services

Clinical evaluation
Each patient receives a comprehensive history and examination by the multi-specialty care team.  If warranted, further evaluations may include formal visual field assessment, standardized photodocumentation, neuroimaging, and laboratory testing.  The patient receives a comprehensive opinion from three different vantage points in one visit regarding treatments, timing and need for surgery, and eye health.  This unique approach avoids breakdown in communication between multiple providers and gives patients an opportunity for a streamlined process through the healthcare system.

Medical management options
In many cases, non-surgical medical therapy may improve quality of life in patients with thyroid eye disease.  Our team can help by sustaining the effectiveness of ocular surface treatments.  We also have experience in considering other alternatives such as systemic or local corticosteroids and radiation therapy. 

Surgical therapies
Much has changed in the last decade with orbital decompression strategies to reduce proptosis.  Our skilled surgeons provide a variety of procedures including orbital fat removal, sculpting the orbital walls, and orbital wall decompression. 

Our experienced surgeons perform strabismus surgery using adjustable sutures.  With this technique, the surgeon can make fine postoperative adjustments to improve eye alignment while the patient is awake.

Repositioning the eyelid with proper contour, height, and appearance is performed by a surgeon that has completed two years of fellowship training in eye plastic surgery.    

Research
Our researchers believe there is a better way to manage this disabling disorder.  Patients have the opportunity to participate in observational and investigational clinical studies.  Our team also includes a basic science researcher dedicated to eye muscle and eyelid muscle pathology.  Together, we hope to better understand the underlying causes of thyroid eye disease and design-targeted therapy.