One of the most debilitating conditions to affect the eyes is a condition known as Grave’s Disease. In this condition, the body attacks its own thyroid gland. For an unknown reason, the body directs a similar response to the natural fat pads and muscles contained behind the eye. The result is an expansion of the fat and muscle which can lead to a condition known as thyroid eye disease. While not all patients with the thyroid condition develop the eye disease, some do, particularly those who smoke. Patients with thyroid eye disease can be left with many eye-related problems. The muscles responsible for moving the eye can tighten, producing double vision. The eyelids often "fly open" more than normal, producing the characteristic stare, and the fat pads can increases in size, causing a bulging and swollen appearance around the eyes. In fact, Dr. Bassin has discovered thyroid disease in patients of his who have seen him regarding cosmetic surgery to remove the increasing fat pads around the eyes. The increased size of the fat and muscle behind the eye can also cause the eye to bulge forward, leaving patients with severe dryness due to overexposure of the sensitive eye to the environment. Dr. Bassin is one of the few surgeons in the country trained to treat the conditions associated with thyroid eye disease. Dr. Bassin repairs the eyes of patients that have crossed, restoring normal vision to those with crippling double vision. Dr. Bassin also performs surgery on the upper and lower eyelids when necessary to help cover the eye and reduce the thyroid “stare.”