Thyroid Eye Disease Upper East Side

Thyroid conditions don’t just affect your metabolism—they can change the way your eyes look, feel, and function. Symptoms like eye bulging, double vision, and lid retraction are treatable.

Expert Care for Lasting Relief and Restoration

Thyroid eye disease (TED) can have a significant impact on your vision, comfort, and appearance. It’s a complex condition that requires thoughtful, multidisciplinary care. Dr. Allison Coombs is a board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon and ophthalmologist who specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of thyroid eye disease. With advanced training and an eye for both function and aesthetics, she helps patients feel and look more like themselves again.

What Is Thyroid Eye Disease?

Thyroid eye disease (also called Graves' orbitopathy or thyroid-associated orbitopathy) is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system targets the muscles and tissues surrounding the eyes. This causes inflammation, swelling, and tissue changes behind the eye.

Common symptoms include the following:

Bulging or prominence of the eyes (proptosis)
Eyelid retraction or asymmetry

Dryness, irritation, or tearing
Double vision or restricted eye movement

Pain or pressure behind the eyes
In severe cases, vision changes due to optic nerve compression

Treatment depends on the stage and severity of the disease and may involve medical management during the active phase and surgical intervention during the stable (inactive) phase.

Dr. Allison looking at patient and smiling

*Real Patient

How Can Treatment Benefit You?

Timely, expert treatment can dramatically improve both comfort and appearance, helping patients reclaim visual function and self-confidence. Typical benefits our patients experience include the following:

Relief from pain, dryness, and eye irritation
Improved eyelid position and symmetry
Reduction of eye bulging (proptosis)
Better eye movement and reduced double vision
Protection of vision and the optic nerve
Restoration of natural facial contours

Who Is a Candidate for Thyroid Eye Disease Treatment?

If you’ve been diagnosed with thyroid eye disease and are experiencing eye discomfort, visual changes, or noticeable changes in eye appearance, you may be a candidate for evaluation and treatment with Dr. Coombs. The following are ideal candidates:

Adults with a confirmed diagnosis of thyroid eye disease.
Patients who are in the stable (inactive) phase of the disease.
Individuals with persistent proptosis, double vision, or eyelid retraction.
Non-smokers or those able to stop smoking temporarily.
People are in overall good health and cleared for surgery if recommended.

Schedule A Consultation

Dr. Allison V. Coombs

Choose Dr. Allison Coombs for Treatment of Thyroid Eye Disease

Orbital surgery for thyroid eye disease requires advanced training, a deep understanding of the visual system, and a refined aesthetic eye. Dr. Allison Coombs is one of the few surgeons in NYC with board certification in ophthalmology and oculofacial plastic surgery—meaning she brings both reconstructive precision and aesthetic balance to every case.

She completed advanced training through ASOPRS, Tufts Medicine, Weill Cornell, and MEETH, where she now leads the oculofacial plastic surgery division. Her expertise spans the full spectrum of TED, from managing early symptoms to performing orbital decompression, eyelid surgery, and strabismus correction when needed.

About the Consultation

Dr. Coombs will review your medical and thyroid history, examine your eyes and surrounding anatomy, and determine the current stage of your disease. Imaging may be recommended to assess tissue changes and guide treatment planning. If surgery is appropriate, Dr. Coombs will explain your options and customize a step-by-step plan tailored to your goals and symptoms. She provides long-term support and personalized surgical plans that address both form and function.

Thyroid Eye Disease Cost

Costs depend on the type of procedure performed, such as orbital decompression, eyelid surgery, or muscle correction, and whether it is covered by insurance. Many thyroid-related procedures are considered medically necessary. Our team will provide a clear estimate and help verify insurance eligibility where applicable.

The Treatment Procedure

Surgery is typically performed in stages and customized to your unique anatomy and symptoms. Common procedures include orbital decompression, eyelid retraction repair, or strabismus (eye muscle) surgery. You should expect the following steps as part of the treatment procedure:

Pre-operative imaging and assessment.
Surgery under general anesthesia (often outpatient).
Internal access through the eyelid or socket, when possible.
Sculpting or repositioning of bone, fat, or muscles.
Carefully placed sutures and detailed aftercare instructions.

About Recovery and Results

Recovery varies depending on the procedure. Swelling and bruising are common in the first one to two weeks. Patients typically resume normal activities within 10 to 14 days. Vision and eye comfort often improve steadily over the following months as inflammation resolves and tissues stabilize.

FAQ Thyroid Eye Disease

Can thyroid eye disease go away on its own?

While the active phase may resolve, many patients are left with residual symptoms like proptosis or lid retraction that require surgical treatment.

Is surgery always necessary?

Not always. Mild cases may be managed with lubrication, medications, or prism glasses. Surgery is recommended when symptoms are severe or disfiguring.

Will treatment change the way my eyes look?

Yes—in a positive way. Surgery helps restore a more natural appearance and symmetry while protecting vision.

Can you treat double vision?

Yes. Once the disease is stable, Dr. Coombs can perform strabismus surgery to realign the eyes and improve binocular vision.

Does smoking affect thyroid eye disease?

Yes. Smoking can significantly worsen TED and impair surgical outcomes. Smoking cessation is strongly recommended before treatment.

Will my vision improve after treatment?

If vision loss is caused by pressure on the optic nerve, decompression surgery may help restore or preserve it.