Proptosis is the condition of bulging eyes which is inherited by birth. In some cases it may develop due to thyroid problems. It can be unilateral which is bulging out of one eye and bilateral in which both the eyes are bulging. The intensity of bulging of eyes varies from mild to severe and only an eye doctor can assess the intensity of seriousness. It is believed to be caused by the increased pressure inside the eyes due to underlying disorder. Proptosis is also known as protruding eyes or bulging eyes in common terms.
Symptoms :
White color is visibly seen on the area between the iris and the upper eyelid if a person has bulging eyes. It is a clear indication for protruding eyes. Some of the other signs of proptosis are discomfort in opening and closing the eyes, difficulty in sleeping or blinking, dryness of eyes, discomfort or pain in making eye movements, scarring seen inside the eyes and excess of white part on the eyes.
For some people there will be whitish watery discharge from the eyes along with redness. Depending on the underlying health factor a person may get fever, excess of sweat, irritation and headache.
Causes :
Very often proptosis is genetic and inherited from the parents by birth. But there are some cases where people acquire this condition due to underlying disease like glaucoma or thyroid problem. Many times it becomes difficult to identify the bulging eyes and prominent eyes. You can detect this by looking at photographs taken some years ago and comparing it with recently taken photo.
Graves’s disease, histiocytosis, hyperthyroidism, orbital cellulitis, leukemia or other forms of cancer, perioribital cellulitis and neuroblastoma are some of the other factors that cause proptosis.
Hypothyroidism is the condition in which adequate quantities of thyroid hormone is released in the body since TSH receptors trigger its production. This increase in production of thyroxin affects several parts of the body including eyes. The auto antibodies will attack the soft muscles of the eyes causing protopsis. This in turn develops into swelling of fat cells due to accumulation of fluid forcing the eyes to bulge out from the socket. This condition is known as Grave’s disease.
Cancers like leukemia, melanoma and brain tumors can directly affect the eyes leading to protrusion of eyes.
Bleeding of eyes or hemorrhage can also cause bulging eyes. Certain serious type of eye infection can cause swelling and protrusion of eyes leading to protopsis.
Diagnoses :
Your doctor will measure the extent of bulging eyes using a ruler or by special instrument called exopthalmometer. In case if the measurement is out of reach for measuring he may do MRI scanning or ultrasound scan for verifying the extent of damage caused. Proptosis can cause serious damage to the eyes if intraocular pressure is more.
Pictures of Proptosis :
Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Proptosis
Treatment :
Treatment for protopsis depends entirely on the underlying issue, if it is caused by any health factor. In case bulging eyes are caused by high blood sugar, medications are given to control diabetes. Similarly for problems like thyroid hormone and other diseases suitable treatments are given to manage the symptoms effectively.
Surgery is performed in many cases for getting the best result in short span of time. There is no home remedy available for treating bulging eyes.