Exophthalmos, also known as ocular proptosis or bulging eyes, is a medical condition in which one or both eyes of a person are more prominent than normal, which can be caused by an inflammatory process or some problem that leads to narrowing of the orbital cavity.
There are several causes that may be at the origin of this problem, such as thyroid disease, infections in the orbital cavity, among others. Treatment depends on the cause of the exophthalmos, which can be performed with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, surgery and in the case of a tumor, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Exophthalmos can be unilateral, when the protrusion of the eyeball occurs only on one side, or bilateral, when both eyes are protruding.
What causes
The most common causes of exophthalmos are:
1. Graves' disease
One of the main causes of exophthalmos is Graves' disease. This is an autoimmune disease, in which the body's antibodies attack the thyroid, causing hyperthyroidism and leading to the occurrence of various symptoms, including orbital inflammation. Learn more about Graves' disease.
How to treat
Treatment for exophthalmos caused by Graves 'disease consists of treating Graves' disease itself with corticosteroids, usually orally. In addition, eye lubricants, eye gel and / or ointment and surgeries such as orbital decompression can also be used.
2. Orbital cellulite
Cellulite in the eye is caused by an infection by bacteria that colonize the skin after an injury or that spread from a nearby infection, such as sinusitis, conjunctivitis or a dental abscess, for example, causing symptoms such as pain, swelling, difficulty to move the eye or exophthalmos. Learn more about cellulite in the eye.
How to treat
Treatment consists of the administration of antibiotics and in more severe cases it may be necessary to resort to surgical drainage of the orbital abscess.
3. Tumors
Tumors of the orbit cause progressive and painless exophthalmos, the most common being hemangioma, lymphangioma, neurofibroma, dermoid cyst, adenoid cystic carcinoma, optic nerve glioma, optic nerve meningioma and benign lacrimal gland tumor.
How to treat
If a diagnosis is made in time by fine needle puncture, followed by urgent radiation therapy, it may be possible to preserve vision, but each tumor has a very particular form of treatment, depending on the characteristics of each case.
4. Carotid-cavernous fistulas
Carotid-cavernous fistulas are abnormal communications between the carotid arterial system and the cavernous sinus, which is characterized by an arterial blood flow from a high pressure system of the internal or external carotid artery, to the low pressure venous system of the cavernous sinus. These fistulas, when draining through the orbit, can cause exophthalmos, double vision and glaucoma.
How to treat
Treatment consists of intravascular embolization.
