AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of orbital decompression in the treatment of Graves ophthalmopathy.

METHODS: Totally 55 patients 77 eyes with Graves eye disease were selected in our hospital from February 2011 to February 2016. All eyes underwent orbital decompression, the visual acuity, exophthalmos and complications of the patients were followed up for 6mo.

RESULTS:Postoperatively 6mo, the best corrected visual acuity were 0.23±0.09, which were better than that of preoperative 0.46±0.07(P<0.05). Postoperatively 6mo, the degree of exophthalmos of the patients were 16.20±1.99mm, which was significantly lower than that preoperative 20.13±1.87mm(P<0.05). Postoperative CAS score was ≤3 points in 56 eyes(73%), significantly increased compared with preoperative 15 eyes(19%), the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). There were 50 eyes(65%)with color vision disorder before operation; after operation, 42 eyes(55%)had significant improvement in visual impairment, and there was no change in the eye in 8 eyes(10%). Postoperatively 6mo, the average decreased degree of exophthalmos were 3.87±1.03mm; 5 cases were found postoperative diplopia, new diplopia rate was 10%; followed up for 3mo, diplopia disappeared.

CONCLUSION:Orbital decompression is an effective method for the treatment of Graves ophthalmopathy, but attention should be paid to postoperative complications such as diplopia.