How To Treat Graves' Disease

Orbital Radiotherapy

Orbital radiotherapy involves the use of radiation to destroy some of the tissue behind the patient's eyes. The treatment is given in multiple sessions over approximately two weeks. Although it was commonly used and recommended for severe cases of Graves' ophthalmopathy from the 1940s through the early 2000s, it is used less often today because the benefits are unclear. However, some doctors might still recommend radiotherapy for patients with this condition who have severe eye issues that cannot be effectively treated with corticosteroids. A study from 2004 reported that favorable responses were seen in sixty percent of patients who received this treatment, and inflammation, optic neuropathy, and eye muscle dysfunction respond particularly well to radiotherapy. Patients with diabetic retinopathy should not have orbital radiotherapy as it could cause further damage to the retina.

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