Treatment of Diseases of the Ocular Orbit

There is well-established treatment with different steps for thyroid-associated orbitopathy, depending on the severity of the disease. In all cases, it is important that the associated thyroid disorder is treated by an endocrine specialist. It is also important to avoid smoking, and to take conservative measures to lubricate the eye and improve visual hygiene habits. The next step includes drug treatment, ranging from selenium supplements in mild cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or corticosteroids. If this is not enough, orbital radiotherapy treatment may be indicated. 

In very severe cases, or in cases where the inflammation has subsided and after-effects remain, rehabilitation surgery (orbital decompression, strabismus surgery, eyelid surgery) is indicated. 

Other types of orbital inflammation are treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, usually corticosteroids. 

Orbital tumours are usually treated with surgery. Radiotherapy or even chemotherapy may also be used in some cases. 

Patients suffering from blindness and painful eyes may benefit from surgical procedures that consist of the total or partial removal of the damaged eyeball (evisceration or enucleation of the eye), and subsequent fitting of an external prosthesis.