Posted on April 3, 2009 in Latest News
What is Proptosis?
Proptosis or exophthalmos is the anterior bulging or displacement of one eye or both eyes. While some people have natural bulge in their eyes, others can develop it in the later stage. If there is a sudden onset of bulging of eyes, immediate medical attention may be needed as this can mean an underlying disease.
What Causes Proptosis?
A variety of conditions can cause proptosis or exophthalmos. Some of these can be – haemorrhage behind the eye, Graves’ disease (thyroid gland disorder), glaucoma, optic nerve tumor, orbital cellulites, fibrosis behind the eye muscles, inflammation or infection of the surrounding area of the orbit, vascular disorder, etc.
What are the Symptoms of Proptosis?
Some of the common symptoms of proptosis are – dryness of cornea, pain and bulging of eyes, compression in the optic nerve, impaired vision, etc.
How Proptosis is tested?
The protrusion of eyeball can be measured with an instrument known as exophthalmometer. Proptosis can be tested through TFT (thyroid function test), CT (computer tomography) scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or a combination of tests.
What are the Treatments Available for Proptosis?
The treatment of proptosis is generally dependent on the source or cause of the disease. If the condition is due to abnormal connection between the ocular veins and arteries, then a vascular procedure to close off certain blood vessel can correct it. Even though proptosis can cause due to Graves’ disease (leading to thyroid gland disorder), treating the thyroid glands may not solve the problem. Chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy can also be treatment of choice for proptosis.
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