exophthalmos

Exophthalmos
Classification and external resources
Patient with bilateral exophthalmos, as well as strabismus (asymmetrical eye alignment).
ICD-10	H05.2
ICD-9	376.2-376.3
DiseasesDB	18612
MedlinePlus	003033
eMedicine	oph/616
MeSH	D005094

Exophthalmos (also called exophthalmia) is a bulging of the eye anteriorly out of the orbit. Exophthalmos can be either bilateral (as is often seen in Graves' Disease) or unilateral (as is often seen in an orbital tumor). Measurement of the degree of exophthalmos is performed using an exophthalmometer. Complete or partial dislocation from the orbit is also possible from trauma or swelling of surrounding tissue resulting from trauma.

In the case of Graves' Disease, the displacement of the eye is due to abnormal connective tissue deposition in the orbit and extraocular muscles which can be visualized by CT or MRI.^[1]

If left untreated, exophthalmos can cause the eye lids to fail to close during sleep leading to corneal dryness and damage. Another possible complication would be a form of redness/irritation called "Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis," where the area above the cornea becomes inflammed as a result of increased friction when blinking. The process that is causing the displacement of the eye may also compress the optic nerve or ophthalmic artery leading to blindness.

Exophthalmos vs. proptosis

Some sources define exophthalmos as a protrusion of the globe greater than 18 mm and proptosis as a protusion equal to or less than 18 mm. (Epstein et al., 2003). Others define "exophthalmos" as protrusion secondary to endocrine dysfunction and "proptosis" as any non-endocrine-mediated protrusion [1].

Causes

• Anophthalmos
• Leukemias
• Orbital cellulitis
• Meningioma, sphenoid wing
• Dacryoadenitis
• Mucormycosis
• Dermoid
• Orbital fracture: apex, floor, medial wall, zygomatic
• Duane syndrome
• Carotid cavernous fistula
• Congenital glaucoma
• Globe retraction
• Eyelid ptosis: adult, congenital
• Hand-Schuller-Christian disease,
• Hemangioma, cavernous
• Horner syndrome
• Thyroid ophthalmopathy

Exophthalmos in dogs

Exophthalmos in a Pug

Exophthalmos is commonly found in dogs. It is seen in brachycephalic (short nosed) dog breeds because of the shallow orbit. However, it can lead to keratitis secondary to exposure of the cornea. Exophthalmos is commonly seen in the Pug, Boston Terrier, Pekingese, and Shih Tzu.

See also

• Boston's sign
• Enophthalmos
• Marty Feldman
• Von Graefe's sign
• Graves ophthalmopathy
• Heino

References

External links

• -1724579834 at GPnotebook
• Can the human eyeball be knocked out of the head?
• Alternative Treatment & Natural Cures for Exophthalmos