
Proptosis Eye proptosis is a condition resulting in forward displacement and entrapment of the eye from behind by the eyelids. The condition is also known as eye dislocation and eye luxation. It is a common result of head trauma and pressure exerted on the front of the neck too hard in dogs. Most commonly it occurs in brachycephalic breeds. In cats, eye proptosis is uncommon and is often accompanied by facial fract… Protrusion of one or both eyes from the sockets.Eye proptosis
Bulging Eyes
What is exophthalmos (proptosis)?
Exophthalmos, also known as proptosis, refers to a condition characterized by bulging eyes. 5 It can affect one or both eyes, and it looks like your eyeball is protruding out of your eye socket. Upper eyelid retraction may also be present.
What is proptosis of the eye?
Proptosis, also known as exophthalmos, is a bulging of one or both of the eyes. While some people naturally have eyes that appear to bulge, due to normal variations in human anatomy, others develop proptosis as a result of various health conditions. 1
What is exophthalmos and how does it affect your eyes?
Exophthalmos is the protrusion of the eye anteriorly out of its orbit, which happens because of an increase in orbital contents within your eye’s rigid bony orbit. 1 With exophthalmos comes a slight risk of compressing your optic nerve.
What are the symptoms of proptosis (eye bulge)?
Proptosis can result in the bulging out of one eye (unilateral) or both eyes (bilateral). In normal eyes, the white part of the eye between the top of the iris (the colored part of the eye) and the upper eyelid is not visible. Other symptoms that can accompany bulging eyes include the following: Difficulty fully closing the eyes during sleep.

Is proptosis and exophthalmos the same?
Exophthalmos (also known as proptosis) is the protrusion of one eye or both anteriorly out of the orbit. It derives from Greek, meaning 'bulging eyes.
What is considered proptosis?
Proptosis, the protrusion of the eyeball from the orbit, results from a wide variety of pathologies that can be vision- or life-threatening.
What is another name for exophthalmos?
Bulging eyes (exophthalmos) could be a sign of a problem with your thyroid gland.
How would you describe exophthalmos?
Exophthalmos describes a condition where the eyeball protrudes from the eye socket, making it appear to bulge. It can affect one or both eyes. Depending on how severe it is, exophthalmos can cause eye problems such as corneal dryness and conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the membrane lining the eye.
What causes eye proptosis?
A bulging eye or eyes is usually caused by thyroid issues, such as Graves' disease or hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include a gritty sensation with eye movement, eyelid swelling and redness and dry, irritated or watering eyes.
Why does hyperthyroidism cause proptosis?
Proptosis is spontaneous decompression resulting from enlargement of the extraocular muscles and adipose tissue, as well as orbital fat deposits and the infiltration of orbital tissues by GAGs and leukocytes (Figure 2). TAO is the most common cause of unilateral and bilateral proptosis in adults.
How is proptosis diagnosed?
An eye doctor can diagnosis proptosis by examining your eye. They can use a special tool called an exophthalmometer to measure your level of eyeball protrusion. Your doctor will also review your medical history and ask you questions about your symptoms.
How do you measure proptosis?
Proptosis. Proptosis is measured using an exophthalmometer. This device takes a millimeter measurement of the distance between the anterior cornea and the temporal orbital rim for each eye. For an individual patient the measurement base is the distance between the two temporal orbital rim margins.
How do you diagnose proptosis?
An eye doctor can diagnosis proptosis by examining your eye. They can use a special tool called an exophthalmometer to measure your level of eyeball protrusion. Your doctor will also review your medical history and ask you questions about your symptoms.
What is the most common cause of proptosis in adults?
As it affects the orbit, the author prefers to use thyroid orbitopathy and, more particularly, thyroid-associated orbitopathy, commonly referred to as Graves disease. In adults, it is the most common cause of unilateral and bilateral exophthalmos. Noninflammatory thyroid orbitopathy has also been reported.
How is radiology proptosis measured?
The reference line for measurement of proptosis is the interzygomatic line (a line is drawn at the anterior portions of the zygomatic bones): the upper limit of normal distance from this line to the anterior surface of the globe is 23 mm, above which indicates proptosis.
What does it mean when your eyelids move fast?
If your eyelids move as fast as your eyeballs when you look down, or you appear to be staring, it could indicate Graves disease .
Can proptosis cause permanent vision loss?
Because the eyelids may not be able to close completely during normal blinking or sleeping, the cornea may dry out significantly. This dryness is not only uncomfortable but can also cause scarring which could lead to permanent vision loss.
What Causes Exophthalmos?
There are a few different causes of exophthalmos. Here are some for reference.
Why does my eye protrude out of its orbit?
Exophthalmos is the protrusion of the eye anteriorly out of its orbit, which happens because of an increase in orbital contents within your eye’s rigid bony orbit. 1
What happens if you leave your left eye protruding?
While the symptoms may just be uncomfortable at first, if you leave exophthalmos untreated for too long, it can lead to serious damage and vision loss.
Does exophthalmos need to be diagnosed?
Fortunately, treatment for exophthalmos does exist. Refer to your ophthalmologist, as you will need tests and magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose your condition. 6
Can you get permanent vision loss from exophthalmos?
Yes, if you do not treat exophthalmos right away, it can lead to permanent vision damage and loss.
Can orbital tumors cause protruding eyes?
In rare cases, cancerous tumors behind the eyes can cause symptoms like protruding eyes. 5 Orbital tumors are a rare cause of orbital decompression.
Can you treat exophthalmos with surgery?
Often, exophthalmos requires surgical treatment. If exophthalmos is occurring because of your thyroid hormone levels, you will need to treat those, as well.
What is the difference between proptosis and exophthalmos?
proptosis and exophthalmos are often used interchangeably. exophthalmos used to refer to severe (>18 mm) proptosis 5. exophthalmos used to refer to endocrine-related proptosis 6. Proptosis can also be used for other viscera (although rarely seen in contemporaneous usage), but exophthalmos only for the eyes.
Where does proptosis originate?
The causes of proptosis are broad and include a wide range of mass lesions that originate within the cranium, sinuses, paranasal spaces, and orbit 3:
What causes uni/bilateral proptosis?
The causes of proptosis are broad and include a wide range of mass lesions that originate within the cranium, sinuses, paranasal spaces, and orbit 3: thyroid orbitopathy (the most common cause of uni/bilateral proptosis in adults) infection. orbital cellulitis.
What is the term for forward protrusion of the globe with respect to the orbit?
Proptosis (rare plural: proptoses) refers to forward protrusion of the globe with respect to the orbit. There are many causes of proptosis which can be divided according to location and it is worth remembering that it is not just orbital disease processes that cause proptosis.
What is the reference line for measuring proptosis?
The reference line for measurement of proptosis is the interzygomatic line (a line is drawn at the anterior portions of the zygomatic bones ):
Can proptosis be used for other viscera?
Proptosis can also be used for other viscera (although rarely seen in contemporaneous usage), but exophthalmos only for the eyes.
