Orbital decompression for severe dysthyroid eye disease.

Current methods of medical treatment of this difficult condition are briefly reviewed, with comments on the generally unsatisfactory response. Attention is therefore directed to surgical methods and a short history given of the various routes used for orbital decompression. The author's own results of transantral, and more recently ethmoidal, decompression are given, with a detailed description of the technique for the latter approach. An interesting frequent consequence of postoperative A pattern to the ocular movements is discussed in the light of Koornneef's concept of orbital fascial anatomy, and suggestions are made for its avoidance.