eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Orbit

Exophthalmos: Follow-up

Author: Michael Mercandetti, MD, MBA, FACS, Consulting Staff, Department of Surgery, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota
Coauthor(s): Adam J Cohen, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Consulting Staff and Partner, Myers Wyse Center for the Eye
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Feb 7, 2007

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

  • Patients should be monitored in intervals tailored to the degree of exophthalmos and complications arising from this ocular malady. Measurement of exophthalmos, visual and color acuities, pupillary function, extraocular motilities, and visual fields should be obtained. In addition, any corneal breakdown should be assessed and remedied.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • The patient who presents with proptosis or exophthalmos must be evaluated, and ancillary testing using imaging studies and corresponding laboratory investigations to ascertain the causation must be obtained. The failure to address these findings can lead to unintended sequelae. The clinician must be alert to frequently subtle asymmetries between the 2 sides. Certain symptoms, such as pain or a sudden diminution in vision, indicate a more rapid course and impose a more rapid response to obtain the diagnosis and treatment. Preservation of vision and function of the globe and orbit is of paramount importance.
 


More on Exophthalmos

Overview: Exophthalmos
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Exophthalmos
Treatment & Medication: Exophthalmos
Follow-up: Exophthalmos
Multimedia: Exophthalmos
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

proptosis, exorbitism, eyeball protrusion, thyroid orbitopathy

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Michael Mercandetti, MD, MBA, FACS, Consulting Staff, Department of Surgery, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota
Michael Mercandetti, MD, MBA, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, and Sarasota County Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Adam J Cohen, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Consulting Staff and Partner, Myers Wyse Center for the Eye
Adam J Cohen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology and American College of Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Brian A Phillpotts, MD, Former Vitreo-Retinal Service Director, Former Program Director, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Howard University College of Medicine
Brian A Phillpotts, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Diabetes Association, American Medical Association, and National Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

J James Rowsey, MD, Director of Corneal Services, St Luke's Cataract and Laser Institute, Florida
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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