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What does it mean if your eyes bulge outwards?
Are bulging eyes a sign of a serious medical condition?
What is a bulging eye?
Why are my eyes bulging?
When should I see a doctor if my eyes are bulging?
How do I know if my eye is bulging?
- Will Blair
- Glaucoma. In this eye disorder, increased pressure in the eyes damages the nerves that connect the eyes to the brain. Usually, this doesn't have symptoms, but in severe cases, the pressure can cause the eyes to bulge.
- Tumor Behind the Eye. A tumor can form behind the eye and force it forward. It can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Other signs of a tumor behind the eye include
- Symptoms of Bulging Eyes. Symptoms of bulging eyes include: A dry, gritty feeling in your eyes. Pressure or pain in your eyes. Puffy eyelids. Red or inflamed eyes.
- Bulging Eye Diagnosis. To figure out what's causing your bulging eyes, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. An exam of your eye could include
- Overview
- Causes of bulging eyes
- Diagnosing the cause of bulging eyes
- Treatment for bulging eyes
Overview
Eyes that bulge, or protrude out of their normal position, could be a sign of a serious medical condition. Proptosis and exophthalmos are the medical terms used to describe bulging eyes.
While some people are born with eyes that protrude more than normal, others develop them as a result of an underlying medical condition.
In most cases, the white part of your eye shouldn’t be visible above your iris (colored part of the eye) without lifting your eyelid.
If the white of your eye shows between your iris and your upper eyelid, it may be a sign of abnormal bulging. Your recommended treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause of your eye bulging.
Sudden bulging of only one eye is an emergency. Seek medical attention immediately. It may be a sign of a serious medical problem.
The most common cause of bulging eyes is hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid gland. Your thyroid gland is located in the front of your neck. It releases several hormones that help control your metabolism.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when your thyroid releases too many of these hormones.
An autoimmune disorder called Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism and bulging eyes. In this condition, tissues around your eye become inflamed. This creates the bulging effect.
Anyone can develop Graves’ disease. Women between the ages of 30 and 60 are most often affected, the Office on Women’s Health reports.
Other potential causes of bulging eyes include:
•neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that can affect your sympathetic nervous system
If you develop eye bulging in one or both eyes, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Be prepared to share your complete medical history with them, including a list of any prescription or over-the-counter medications and supplements that you take.
They’ll also want to know the specifics of your symptoms, such as:
•When did you first notice that your eyes were bulging?
•Have they gotten worse since that time?
•Do you have any other symptoms, especially headaches or visual changes?
After conducting a physical exam, your doctor may order one or more tests. For example, these may include:
Your recommended treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause of your bulging eyes. For example, depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following:
•eye drops
•antibiotics
•corticosteroids to ease inflammation
•eye surgery
•surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation to treat cancerous tumors
- Ann Pietrangelo
Mar 18, 2015 · Exophthalmos is the term used to describe bulging eyes – eyes that protrude out of their normal position. It is also known as proptosis. Very often this can be a sign of a potentially serious underlying medical condition, such as hyperthyroidism.
Oct 22, 2024 · Exophthalmos is the medical term for bulging eyes. It typically develops from thyroid gland problems, such as Graves’ disease. 1 Aside from bulging eyes, other symptoms include light sensitivity, double vision, and dry eyes. If you notice one or both of your eyes bulging, see a doctor to check your eyes and get a blood test.
- 4 min
Bulging eyes, also called exophthalmos or proptosis, is when one or both of your eyes protrude from their natural position. Thyroid issues, such as Graves’ disease or hyperthyroidism, are the most common causes of the condition.
May 30, 2024 · Exophthalmos, also known as proptosis or bulging eye, is a condition characterized by the protrusion of one or both eyes from their normal position within the eye sockets. It's important to note that exophthalmos itself is not a specific condition but rather a sign of an underlying disorder.
Jan 20, 2021 · Defining exophthalmos. Exophthalmos (pronunciation: eks-ahf-THAL-muhs) comes from the Greek word for “the eye” (“ophthalmos”) and the prefix “ex” (“out of” or “away from”). You might also hear it called proptosis. Either way, it means the eyes have moved away from their normal position.
