Eyes - bulging

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• Y

Graves' disease

Hyperthyroidism

Periorbital cellulitis

Protruding eyes; Exophthalmos; Proptosis; Bulging eyes

The underlying cause of this symptom needs to be treated by a health care provider. Because bulging eyes can cause a person to be self-conscious, emotional support is important.

• You have bulging eyes and the cause has not yet been diagnosed.
• Bulging eyes are accompanied by other symptoms.

The health care provider will obtain your medical history and will perform a physical examination.

Medical history questions may include the following:

• Are both eyes bulging?
• When did you first notice bulging eyes?
• Is it getting worse?
• What other symptoms do you have?

A slit-lamp examination may be ordered. Blood testing for thyroid disease may be performed.

Artificial tears may be given to lubricate the eye. Other treatments will depend on the cause.

Review Date: 01/18/2007
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.