What is intermittent exophthalmos?
Postural exophthalmos, also known as intermittent exophthalmos, is characterized by temporary protrusion of an eyeball during maneuvers which raise intracranial venous pressure above that present normally in the erect position.
What are the causes of exophthalmos?
In adults, the most common cause of unilateral and bilateral exophthalmos is thyroid-associated eye disease, such as Graves-related ophthalmopathy. In children, orbital cellulitis is the most common cause, whereas bilateral exophthalmos is most likely due to neuroblastoma and leukemia.
Which is the most likely cause of exophthalmos associated with Graves disease?
The most common cause for unilateral or bilateral exophthalmos is thyroid eye disease, or Graves ophthalmopathy. The proptosis arises from inflammation, cellular proliferation, and accumulation of fluid in the tissues that surround the eyeball in its socket, or orbit.
Does hypothyroidism cause exophthalmos?
It is often due to hyperthyroidism, and sometimes to hypothyroidism, which is caused by an underactive thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism may not cause the eyes to protrude immediately. It may take some time for this to happen.
What is pulsatile Exophthalmos?
Pulsatile exophthalmos, a.k.a. pulsatile proptosis, is a clinical symptom characterized by protrusion – i.e. exophthalmos (proptosis) – and pulsation of the eyeball that can occur due to various causes: caroticocavernous fistulas. neurofibromatosis type 1 (with sphenoid wing dysplasia) 2. arteriovenous malformation.
Why does exophthalmos occur in hyperthyroidism?
If a person’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland, it may react by producing extra hormones. The autoimmune antibodies can attack the muscles and soft tissue surrounding the eyes, which can cause them to protrude from the sockets. This can lead to: dry or gritty eyes.
From the Johns Hopkins Hospital and University. Intermittent exophthalmos is a rare, but striking and unmistakable, syndrome.
What is the cause of exophthalmos?
Exophthalmos may be a symptom of various causes, such as thyroid eye disease, eye injury, abnormally shaped blood vessels behind the eyes, an infection of the eye socket tissue, cancer, and other eye conditions. Can exophthalmos go away on its own? Exophthalmos will not typically go away on its own.
What are the long-term effects of exophthalmos?
Depending on how severe it is, exophthalmos can cause eye problems such as corneal dryness and conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the membrane lining the eye. In the long-term, symptoms tend to improve, but this can take years.
What is the relationship between exophthalmos and conjunctivitis?
People with exophthalmos are more likely to develop conjunctivitis, and especially superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis, in which the area above the cornea becomes inflamed due abnormal tearing and blinking.