eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Orbit

Exophthalmos: Treatment & Medication

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

Treatment

Medical Care

Medical care for patients with exophthalmos is directed at reversing the problem and minimizing ocular complications.

Consultations

Once the etiology of exophthalmos or proptosis is established, the appropriate specialists should partake in the patient's care.

Medication

The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications.

Ocular lubricants

Keep adequate moisture in eye and prevent dryness.


Artificial tears (Celluvisc, Murine, Refresh, Tears Naturale)

Contains equivalent of 0.9% NaCl and maintains ocular tonicity. Acts to stabilize and thicken precorneal tear film and prolongs tear film breakup time, which occurs with dry eye states.

Adult

1-2 gtt in affected eye(s) tid/qid prn

Pediatric

Administer as in adults

Pregnancy

A - Safe in pregnancy

Precautions

Hyperemia, photophobia, stickiness of eyelashes, and ocular discomfort or irritation may occur

More on Exophthalmos

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

  1. Bastion ML, Wong YC. A case of sneezing-related orbital emphysema treated by aspiration-decompression in the office. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. Nov-Dec 2006;22(6):500-1. [Medline].

  2. Burde RM, Savino PJ, Trobe JD. Proptosis and adnexal masses. In: Clinical Decisions in Neuro-ophthalmology. 2nd ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 1992:379-416.

  3. Christiansen E, Kofoed-Enevoldsen A. Graves' ophthalmopathy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. May 2001;86(5):2327-8. [Medline].

  4. Cohen AJ, Mercandetti M, Weinberg DA. Cavernous hemangioma. eMedicine Journal [serial online]. August 2, 2006;Available at www.emedicine.com/oph/topic216.htm.

  5. Devi B, Bhat D, Madhusudhan H, et al. Primary intraosseous meningioma of orbit and anterior cranial fossa: a case report and literature review. Australas Radiol. May 2001;45(2):211-4. [Medline].

  6. Henderson JW. Orbital Tumors. 3rd ed. New York: Raven Press; 1994.

  7. Mercandetti M, Cohen AJ. Tumors, orbital. eMedicine Journal [serial online]. February 7, 2007;Available at http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic758.htm.

  8. Nunery WR. Ophthalmic Graves' disease: a dual theory of pathogenesis. Oph Clin N Amer. 1991;4.

  9. Nunery WR, Martin RT, Heinz GW, Gavin TJ. The association of cigarette smoking with clinical subtypes of ophthalmic Graves' disease. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. Jun 1993;9(2):77-82. [Medline].

  10. Philips PH. The orbit. Oph Clin N Amer. 2001;14:109-27.

  11. Piest K. Exophthalmos. In: Decision Making in Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 2000:132-3.

  12. Spence CA, Duong DH, Monsein L, Dennis MW. Ophthalmoplegia resulting from an intraorbital hematoma. Surg Neurol. Dec 2000;54(6):447-51. [Medline].

  13. Vardizer Y, Berendschot TT, Mourits MP. Effect of exophthalmometer design on its accuracy. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. Nov 2005;21(6):427-30. [Medline].

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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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