{"id":12126,"date":"2019-09-04T06:49:49","date_gmt":"2019-09-04T06:49:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=12126"},"modified":"2021-04-29T14:51:40","modified_gmt":"2021-04-29T14:51:40","slug":"14-common-causes-of-exophthalmos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-common-causes-of-exophthalmos\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common Causes of Exophthalmos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Exophthalmos is a medical term also known as proptosis. It describes a condition where the eyes bulge or protrude from the eye socket. People dealing with the disorder may notice that the whites of the eyes are visible above the iris when the eyelids relax. Exophthalmos may cause a host of complications with the eye in the affected individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, the patient may experience a pinching of the optic nerve, which transmits signals from the eye to the brain. As a result of the compression, the affected individual’s eyesight may start to deteriorate, resulting in blurry vision or a loss of peripheral vision. This condition requires immediate treatment to avoid permanent damage to the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In less severe cases of the disorder, the patient notices the eyes start to become red and swollen, and they may begin to rub their eyes frequently throughout the day. The patient will require the use of eye drops, such as artificial tears, to keep the eyeball lubricated and prevent the onset of dry eye syndrome. Here are eight common causes of exophthalmos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Graves’ Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common causes of bulging eye disorder is the onset of Graves’ disease<\/a>. This autoimmune disorder causes dysfunction of the thyroid,\u00a0the small butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck. Graves’ disease is the leading cause of hyperthyroidism. It creates an overproduction of hormones, known as thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin. People who are suffering from Graves’ disease experience these hormones attaching to healthy thyroid cells, resulting in an overactive thyroid.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Graves’ disease, and the affected individual may require treatment from their physician to manage the effects of the condition. People dealing with the onset of Graves’ disease will have to learn how to live with the impact of the situation throughout their life. In most cases, patients can manage to live a healthy life through the use of HRT, hormone replacement therapy,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find you start to develop symptoms of elevated body temperature, and you begin to experience issues such as sleep disorders, as well as a rapid weight loss, you could be experiencing the effects of hyperthyroidism linked to Graves’ disease. Consult with your doctor for a diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2.  Hyperthyroidism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The leading cause of bulging eye syndrome is hyperthyroidism<\/a>. As mentioned, patients experiencing the onset of Graves’ disease, resulting in hyperthyroidism,\u00a0develop an imbalance in thyroid hormone production. The thyroid produces triiodothyronine (T3), and tetraiodothyronine (T4), which are the essential hormones involved in managing energy production and consumption. The thyroid also helps to regulate metabolism through the release of T3 and T4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who develop hypothyroidism may start to notice that they develop symptoms of irregular metabolism. As a result, the patient may find that they begin to lose weight or experience sleeping problems such as insomnia. Fortunately, it’s possible to mitigate the effects of the disorder with the use of hormone replacement therapy available from your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hyperthyroidism is also one of the leading causes of bulging eye syndrome. Doctors are uncertain of the exact reason why the condition causes the eyes to protrude. However, hyperthyroidism is present in almost every case of bulging eye syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3.  Lymphoma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The lymphatic system describes and network of lymph nodes<\/a> and vessels that transport lymph fluid throughout the body. Lymph fluid consists of white blood cells that fight off infections from viral and bacterial pathogens that enter the body. The lymph fluid passes through the lymph nodes, which act as filters that capture the viral and bacterial material, preventing its spread throughout the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with the onset of lymphoma find that the lymphocytes become cancerous. As a result, the patient develops cancer in parts of the lymphatic system such as the spleen, bone marrow, thymus, the lymph nodes, and the tonsils. The disease may start in one region, and spread to other areas of the lymphatic system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical science divides lymphoma into two primary categories; non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Both types of cancer do not have a good outlook for longevity in the patient. There is no cure for lymphoma, and doctors manage symptoms of the disease as they arise, using radiation therapy and chemotherapy drugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4.  Leukemia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Leukemia <\/a>describes A type of cancer affecting blood cells. There are numerous categories of blood cells, which include white blood cells platelets and red blood cells.\u00a0Typically, leukemia indicates cancer of white blood cells. White blood cells are a critical part of the immune system. The white blood cells protect the body from pathogens such as viruses bacteria and fungi, reducing the pathogen’s ability to replicate in the body.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those patients with leukemia experience a malfunction in their white blood cell production. The cells start to divide faster than other cells crowding them out of the tissues and organs. The bone marrow is responsible for the majority of the production of white blood cells, but they also occur in the thymus gland, lymph nodes, and spleen as well.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leukemia may also lead to the onset of bulging eye syndrome in affected individuals. If you notice symptoms of bulging eyes, as well as the presence of hyperthyroidism symptoms, visit your doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor will run a blood test to determine the presence of hyperthyroidism, and other forms of cancer such as leukemia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Neuroblastoma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Neuroblastoma <\/a>Describes the development of a medical condition affecting the peripheral nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is a subset of the peripheral nervous system, and it helps to send messages from the brain to other regions of the body. The PNS controls the immune response, as well as your hormone balance. Additional responsibilities of the sympathetic nervous system include controlling your heart rate,\u00a0blood pressure, and digestion.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neuroblastoma is a form of cancer developing in immature cells known as neurons. These neurons exist in the sympathetic nervous system, and the neuroblastoma may develop into a solid tumor found in the pelvis, abdomen, adrenal gland, chest, or neck. Neuroblastoma may also metastasize into other areas of the body, such as the lymph nodes, bones, and skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neuroblastoma is a rare form of cancer, but it’s the most common type of cancer found in children. The tumors associated with neuroblastoma may develop in regions of the brain that place pressure on the optic nerve. As a result, the patient may develop the onset of bulging eye syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6.  Trauma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common cause of bulging eye syndrome is trauma <\/a>to the area around the eyes. Trauma may result in internal bleeding around the eye socket, causing the eyes to bulge. There are various reasons why a person may sustain an injury to the eye socket. One of the most frequent causes of the condition is colliding with a steering wheel in a vehicle collision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the face impacts the steering wheel, it often results in trauma to the nose and eyes. The patient may experience severe swelling and inflammation around the affected area after the impact. Doctors typically refrain from using an MRI scan after an accident because the swelling may interfere with the scan developing an image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the patient may have to wait for several weeks for the swelling to go down before they can take an MRI scan. During this waiting period, the patient may develop the symptoms of bulging eye syndrome due to bleeding behind the eye caused by trauma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7.  Hemangioma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hemangiomas <\/a>describe the non-cancerous growth of blood vessels in the body.\u00a0These are the most common types of growths or tumors found in children. The tumors typically grow for some time and then subside without the need for medical assistance. In most cases, the tumors don’t cause any problems with the infant’s health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, hemangiomas may open and ulcerate or bleed, causing symptoms of pain in the child. Depending on the location and the size of the growths, they may become disfiguring in the affected individual. The tumors may also form in the nervous system or on the spine as well as other internal organs within the body. However, in most cases, these tumors do not cause any physical problems with the child’s health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the growths should occur around the eye socket, it may place pressure on the ocular nerve or the ligaments around the eye. As a result, the patient may start to develop the symptoms of bulging eyes syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8.  Orbital Cellulitis <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This condition affects the eye and is also known as preseptal or preorbital cellulitis. Patients experience and infection of the tissues around the eye socket, including the muscles and ligaments involved with moving the eye. Common conditions causing the onset of orbital cellulitis include insect bites and trauma. Patients who develop sinusitis infection may also be at risk of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cellulitis involving the eyelid causes painful swelling and redness of the eyelid and skin surrounding the eye socket. Children are at the highest risk of developing this condition. In most cases, cellulitis <\/a>is not a severe disease, and early identification, along with prompt treatment, will be useful in resolving the infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, should the affected individual not receive treatment, and remain undiagnosed, they run the risk of developing bulging eye syndrome. If left unmanaged, it could also result in the development of permanent vision problems, as well as the onset of blindness. The person must receive treatment immediately to prevent these complications from occurring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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