Definition of Exophthalmos
Exophthalmos is a condition in which one or both eyeballs bulge out, this can be caused by swelling of soft tissue in the eye bags.
Exophthalmos can occur rapidly due to bleeding behind the eye, for example after a severe injury, or due to inflammation of the eye socket. Tumors, both benign and malignant, can occur in the cavity of the orbit behind the eyeball pushing the eyeball forward. Inflammation and fibrous tissue (pseudotumor) may also cause proptosis with pain and swelling. Cavernous sinus thrombosis cause swelling because the blood in the veins can not leave the eye. Disorders connection between arteries and veins (arteriovenous malformations) behind the eye can cause a pulsating proptosis, where eyes bulging and pulsing according to the heart rate.
Exophthalmos always associated with Grave's disease, which also lead to thyrotoxicosis (excessive activity of the thyroid gland). Another cause is the eye tumor, an aneurysm (inflate the artery) or inflammation at the back of the eye.
Symptoms of Exophthalmos
Exophthalmos causing limited eye movement and cause double vision. In some cases, swelling can block blood flow to an area of the eye that can cause blindness. The eyelids can not close, and the view becomes blurred because the cornea dry.
Symptoms:
- Bleeding behind the eyeball (in the eye orbital space) as a result of trauma.
- Inflammation inside the eye socket.
- Pseudotumor (the protrusion of the eyeball due to the presence of inflammation / inflammation of the tissue surrounding the eyeball pushing the eyeball forward.
- Benign and malignant tumors in the eye socket and on the back of the eyeball.
- One or both eyes seemed to stand out.
- Vascular abnormalities eg cavernous sinus thrombosis and arteriovenous malformations.
Complications of Exophthalmos
Complications exophthalmos because the eyelids can not close properly can occur corneal damage and conjunctivitis.