graves disease

Hi! I was diagnosed with graves disease 5 years ago. The symptoms started when I woke up and saw a lot of swelling in my upper lids. For about 5 month no one doctor could  find the reason and I was treated with a lot of eye meds. Then, finally, I was diagnosed correctly with hyperthyroidism and began my treatment with PTU. It did not work out for about a year and then my endo switched me to methimazole. Now my thyroid is under control. However, my eye gets worse and I got a lot of puffiness in my cheeks. My left eye is about 3mm more then the right eye. I have a lot of tearing and lubricating eye drops so not help significantly. I saw many ophthalmologists and they are all saying the same that my vision is normal and I don't need any additional treatments. When I said that I really want to remove eyelid swelling I was told that I look beautiful even with this condition (no therapeutic communication skills at all-)). I read that it could be periorbital edema and it cannot be corrected by the surgery. I'm wondering if there is any treatments exist in out 21 century to deal with eyelid swelling and face puffiness.
Thank you in advance.    

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You would need to consult with an oculoplastic surgeon to see if any surgical treatment such as orbital decompression, lid advancement might be done. Find one near you at www.aao.org or ask one of the Eye MDs you've seen in the past refer you.

JCHMD