Exophthalmos

Exophthalmos or protrusion of an eye in medicine designate the phenomenon at which one or both eyeglobes act forward, and quite often are also displaced aside. This disease is provoked, first of all, by significant increase in volume of fabrics of an orbit, various factors act as the reason of what. In the people the exophthalmos more often is called pucheglaziy. This pathology occurs quite often among representatives of both floors practically at any age.

Exophthalmos reasons

It should be noted at once the fact that disturbances of functions of visual bodies as consider many are not the reason of an exophthalmos. Together with it, the disease disregarded can provoke serious complications which are quite often fraught with problems with sight and even its total loss. It is known that damage of eye fabrics which is characteristic of an exophthalmos, is often caused by disturbances in immune system of the person. In this case, as a rule, at first fatty tissue of an eye-socket, then motive muscles swells. Such phenomenon usually affects both eyes though initially it can be shown only on one.

Other common causes of an exophthalmos it is possible to call:

• Inflammatory processes of blood vessels of eyes;
• Inflammations of the lacrimal glands;
• Inflammatory processes of fatty tissue of eyes;
• Varicosity of orbital veins;
• Tumors of eye-sockets;
• Inborn glaucoma;
• Paralysis of external muscles of an eye;
• Various injuries provoking hemorrhage for an eyeglobe.

All above-mentioned reasons of an exophthalmos have local character.

However quite often this disease is caused by such factors of the general character as:

• Inflammation in nasal bosoms;
• Hydrocephaly;
• Lymphadenosis;
• Diffusion toxic craw;
• Anomalies of development of a skull;
• Some diseases of blood etc.

The exophthalmos can be shown differently and have various degrees of manifestation. At some people it is almost imperceptible and is defined only after special survey at the specialist. At others the disease is brightly expressed, and one look suffices to determine its existence by characteristic signs. In such serious situations the disease can lead to any development of complications.

For example, except eyeglobe shift, disturbance of mobility of eyes as the exophthalmos quite often is followed by damage of the muscles which are responsible for it is often observed. Doubling in eyes and squint – also characteristic symptoms of this pathology. At the considerable shift of eyeglobes forward the contact between an upper and lower eyelid becomes almost impossible. Thus, the eye cornea at an exophthalmos loses the natural protection without receiving necessary moistening. This process gradually leads to deformation of a cornea and destruction of its structure which is promoted by an inflammation.

The most dangerous complication of an exophthalmos it is possible to call a prelum of an optic nerve which is provoked by the shift of apple and increase in pressure in an eye cavity. This nerve conducts a visual impulse to a brain. Such state causes disturbance of a blood-groove and can lead to death of a nerve and a total blindness.

Diagnosis and treatment of an exophthalmos

The ekzoftalmometriya, research during which the arrangement of eyeglobes of the person is studied is most often applied to diagnosis of an exophthalmos. The special device used at this procedure compares points of ledges of a cornea of the eyes which are reflected in a profile in tool mirrors. As a rule, for receiving a clear picture such measurements are taken at a look up and down. If as a result of this inspection discrepancy of values more than 20 mm is received, it is possible to speak about existence at the person of such disease as an exophthalmos.

Detailed inspection which is necessary for definition of a form and complexity of an exophthalmos is usually carried out with use of a magnetic and resonant or computer tomography. Along with them it is necessary to check surely the level of hormones of a thyroid gland by means of laboratory researches. Besides, it is worth drawing great attention to possible problems with immune system as the endocrine ophthalmopathy is the most common cause of a disease.

Treatment of an exophthalmos is impossible without establishment of diseases or problems which provoked it as elimination of pathology is directly connected with disposal of its reasons. It should be noted that even if the disease was caused not by disturbances in eyes and abnormal processes in eye-sockets, nevertheless at treatment or surgical intervention presence of the ophthalmologist is desirable.

Quite often this disease acts as result of various inflammatory processes. In that case, as a rule, treatment of an exophthalmos assumes, first of all, use of various antibacterial and antiinflammatory medical supplies. In especially hard cases surgical intervention can be required.

Also operational method is suitable for treatment of the exophthalmos which provoked damage of a cornea or squeezing of an optic nerve. In the first case the full or partial sewing together a century which is temporary is applied that promotes strengthening of a cornea at an exophthalmos. Doctors in similar situations recommend also various ointments and gels helping to recover cornea fabrics.

When squeezing an optic nerve partial removal of fatty tissue of an eye-socket for the purpose of pressure decrease is most often used.

If the exophthalmos is a consequence of existence of a tumor of an eye-socket, intervention of the oncologist who can appoint radiation therapy, chemotherapy or their combination is necessary. Quite often in similar cases operation on an oncotomy is necessary.

Therefore at the slightest suspicions on existence of this disease it is necessary to address immediately for consultation the experienced ophthalmologist.