Exophthalmos
Overview
Exophthalmos describes the protrusion of the eye anteriorly out of the orbit. This can occur due to an increase in the amount of material behind the eye.
It can present with bulging eyes, an inability to fully close the eyes, and diplopia.
Causes
- Inflammation in the orbit:
- Graves’ disease
- Orbital cellulitis
- Sarcoidosis
- Neoplasms
- Foreign body
Enophthalmos
Overview
Enophthalmos describes the posterior displacement of the eye into the orbit.
It can present with sunken eyes, dry eyes, ptosis, and diplopia.
Causes
- Increases in orbital size (e.g. orbital fractures)
- Reduction in or shrinkage of orbital contents:
- Age-related fat atrophy – decreased amounts of intra-orbital fat as age increases
- Dehydration
- Trauma
