• Feel Good Contacts
  • 01 514 3614
  • Need Optical Advice?
  • OFFERS
    • 10% off First Order
    • 5% off on Auto Replenish
    • Glasses up to 70% off
    • Sunglasses up to 60% off
    • Refer a Friend
    • Earn Reward Points
    • Student Discount
  • Contact Lenses
    Top Brands
    • Acuvue
    • Air Optix
    • Alcon / Ciba Vision
    • Bausch & Lomb
    • Biofinity
    • Clariti
    • Comfi
    • Cooper Vision
    • Focus Dailies
    • Freshlook
    • All Brands
    Type
    • Daily Contact Lenses
    • Monthly Contact Lenses
    • Two Weekly Contact Lenses
    • Toric/Astigmatism Lenses
    • Multifocal Contact Lenses
    • Coloured Contact Lenses
    • Cheap Contact Lenses
    • Next Day Contact Lenses
    • Extended Contact Lenses
    • Silicone Hydrogel Lenses
    • No Prescription Lenses
    Top Sellers
    • comfi Daily Disposable
    • 1 Day Acuvue Moist
    • Dailies AquaComfort Plus
    • Acuvue Oasys 1-Day with HydraLuxe
    • Acuvue Oasys
    • 1 Day Acuvue Moist For Astigmatism
    • Air Optix Aqua
    • FreshLook Colorblends
    • Biofinity
    • 1 Day Acuvue Moist Multifocal
    Buyer's Guide
    • Save with comfi
    • Which comfi is for you?
    • How to put in contact lenses
    • How to clean your contact lenses
    • Guide to Astigmatism
    • Glasses prescription vs contact lens prescription
    • Best contact lenses for dry eyes
    View All Contact Lenses
    feel good contacts menu feel good contacts menu
  • Solutions
    Top Brands
    • Boston
    • Biotrue
    • Comfi
    • EasySept
    • Ote Optics
    • Opti Free
    • OxySept
    • ReNu
    • Total Care
    • All Brands
    Type
    • Multi Purpose Solutions
    • Saline Solutions
    • Peroxide Solutions
    • Travel Pack Solutions
    • Rigid & Gas Permeable
    • Multi Pack Solutions
    Top Sellers
    • comfi All-in-One Solution
    • Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solution Twin Pack
    • Delta Plus Disinfecting Soaking and Wetting Solution
    • ReNu Multi-Purpose Solution Triple Pack
    • Opti-Free Express Twin Pack
    • Opti-Free RepleniSH Twin Pack
    • Refine One Step Solution - 250ml Triple Pack
    Buyer's Guide
    • How to clean and store soft lenses
    • Which contact lens solution do I need?
    • How to clean a contact lens case
    View All Solutions
    feel good contacts menu feel good contacts menu
  • Eye Care
    Top Brands
    • Altacor
    • Artelac
    • Biotrue
    • Comfi
    • Blink
    • Hycosan
    • Optase
    • Systane
    • The Body Doctor
    • Thea
    Eye Care
    • Eye Drops
    • Eye Accessories
    • Dry Eye Treatments
    • Supplements & Hygiene
    • Face Masks
    • Covid Essentials
    • Travel Essentials
    Top Sellers
    • comfi Soothe Drops
    • Blink-N-Clean Eye Drops
    • Blink Intensive Tears Vials
    • Clinitas Soothe Multi
    • Feel Good Contact Lens Case
    • Feel Good Cleaning Kit
    • Hycosan Extra Dry Eye Drops
    • The Eye Doctor Lid Wipes
    • Thera-Pearl Eye Mask
    • The AB Mask Anti-Fog Cloth
    Buyer's Guide
    • How to use eye drops
    • How to stop itchy eyes from hay fever - for good
    • Computer Eye Strain:
      Symptoms and Solutions
    View All Eye Care
    feel good contacts menu feel good contacts menu
  • Glasses
    Gender
    • Women
      Glasses for women
    • Men
      Glasses for men
    Brands
    • Calvin Klein
    • Chloe
    • DKNY
    • Dolce & Gabbana
    • Emporio Armani
    • Feel Good Collection
    • Gucci
    • Hugo Boss
    • Lacoste
    • Le Specs
    • Marc Jacobs
    • MaxMara
    • Michael Kors
    • Oakley
    • O'Neill
    • Polaroid
    • Polo Ralph Lauren
    • Prada
    • Radley
    • Ralph by Ralph Lauren
    • Ray-Ban
    • Superdry
    • Tommy Hilfiger
    • Versace
    • Vogue
    Frame Shapes
    • Aviator Aviator
    • Oval Oval
    • Rectangle Rectangle
    • Round Round
    • Square Square
    • Wayfarer Wayfarer
    • Clubmaster Clubmaster
    • Cat Eye Cat Eye
    • Butterfly Butterfly
    • Hexagonal Hexagonal
    Special Offers
    • Clearance
    • New Arrivals
    • Best Sellers
    Price Range
    • €7 - €30
    • €30 - €70
    • €70 - €100
    • €100+
    Advice & Top Tips
    • Glasses prescription
    • Glasses frame size guide
    • Glasses lens options
    • Glasses lens coatings
    • How to tighten my glasses
    View All Brands View Blue Light Glasses
    feel good contacts menu feel good contacts menu
  • Sunglasses
    Gender
    • Women
      Sunlasses for women
    • Men
      Sunglasses for men
    Brands
    • Calvin Klein
    • Carrera
    • Chloe
    • Dolce & Gabbana
    • Dunlop
    • Feel Good Collection
    • Gucci
    • Hugo Boss
    • Jimmy Choo
    • Kendall + Kylie
    • Lacoste
    • Le Specs
    • Linda Farrow
    • Oakley
    • O'Neill
    • Persol
    • Polaroid
    • Police
    • Prada
    • Radley
    • Ray-Ban
    • Saint Laurent
    • Superdry
    • Tommy Hilfiger
    • Versace
    • Victoria Beckham
    • Vogue
    Frame Shapes
    • Aviator Aviator
    • Oval Oval
    • Rectangle Rectangle
    • Round Round
    • Square Square
    • Wayfarer Wayfarer
    • Wrap Wrap
    • Clubmaster Clubmaster
    • Cat Eye Cat Eye
    • Butterfly Butterfly
    • Hexagonal Hexagonal
    • Octagonal Octagonal
    • Heart Heart
    Advice & Top Tips
    • Sunglasses tints
    • Face shape guide
    • Types of sunglasses
    • UV protection guide
    Special Offers
    • Clearance
    • New Arrivals
    • Best Sellers
    Lens Coatings
    • Polarised
    • Mirrored
    • Gradient
    Price Range
    • €15 - €50
    • €50 - €80
    • €80 - €120
    • €120+
    View All Brands View Collections
    feel good contacts menu feel good contacts menu
  • Help
    Customer Information
    • Contact Us
    • Delivery Information
    • Returns & Exchange
    • FAQ
    Customer Advice
    • Eye Care Hub
    • Optical Advice
    • Free Eye Test
    • Advice on Covid-19
    Popular Content
    • No Prescription Needed
    • Contact Lens Prescription
    • Glasses Prescription
    • Guides to Brands
    Tools
    • Vision Simulator
    • Dry Eye Quiz
    feel good contacts menu feel good contacts menu
  • Blog
  • search feel good contacts blog
  • search feel good contacts
  • 0
  • Reorder
  • Login Login
      feel good contacts menu
    • My Account
    • Orders
    • Personal Details
    • Log out
    feel good contacts menu
    Existing Customer

    We've sent you an email
    to reset your password.

    Enter your email address

    I would like to receive friendly reminders when it’s time to re-order. I am aware I can easily unsubscribe from these at any time.
    NEW Customer
    Forgot Password Cancel
Price match guarantee
Order by 5:45pm for same day dispatch
Excellent
Reward points
Home
Eye Care Hub
Exophthalmos (bulging eyes)

Contact Lens Care

  • Which contact lens solution do I need?
  • How to clean a contact lens case?
  • How can I tell if my contact lens is inside out?

About Contact Lenses

  • How do toric contact lenses work?
  • What does the water content of a contact lens mean?

Eye Health

  • What are the best contact lenses for dry eyes?
  • How dehydration impacts your eyes?
  • Computer eye strain: Symptoms and solutions

Children's Eye Health

  • Why does my child get styes?
  • At what age can my child wear contacts?
  • How can I tell if my child has vision problems?

Lenses & Lifestyle

  • Which sunglasses will suit my face shape?
  • What are polarised sunglasses?
  • Guide to different types on sunglasses?

Prescriptions & Eye Tests

  • Difference between an Ophthalmologist, Optometrist & Optician
  • What does axis mean on my prescription
  • Can I buy my contact lenses online

Guides

  • A guide to Astigmastism
  • A guide to eye discharge
  • A guide to Presbyopia

What causes exophthalmos or bulging eyes and what are the treatments?

Medically reviewed by Alastair Lockwood on 16 March 2021

Proptosis is the medical term for eyes that are pushed forward from inside the orbit. If associated with thyroid dysfunction this is known as exophthalmos.

What is Exophthalmos caused by?

Exophthalmos (proptosis due to thyroid dysfunction) is most commonly caused by Graves' ophthalmopathy.

Graves' ophthalmopathy is where the immune system attacks healthy tissue mistakenly. With thyroid eye disease, the immune system attacks the muscles and fatty tissue surrounding the eyes, causing them to become swollen and bulge.

This autoimmune condition is more common in women and smokers. It affects 1 in every 3 people with an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) from Graves' disease. Occasionally thyroid eye disease can affect those with an underactive thyroid gland and sometimes even those with normal thyroid function.

What is bulging eyes a symptom of?

What are the other causes of proptosis?:

  • Infection of the tissue in the eye socket
  • Tumours
  • Bleeding behind the eyes

Proptosis symptoms

Proptosis can lead to symptoms such as:

  • Pain in the eyes
  • Dry eyes
  • Eye irritation
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Double vision
  • Blurred vision
  • Vision loss
  • Pressure behind or around your eyes
  • Trouble moving your eyes
  • Eye secretions and teary eyes

Can proptosis be treated?

The treatment of proptosis depends on the cause, and severity. If there is risk of compression to the optic nerve prompt intervention is required and may require surgery.

Assessing proptosis

An ophthalmologist (eye specialist) will check a range of things.

They may do the following:

  • Check your eye movements
  • Arrange for an MRI scan or CT scan
  • Measure how far your eyeball protrudes using an exophthalmometer
  • Organise a blood test to check your thyroid gland

How do you treat exophthalmos/proptosis from Grave’s disease?

The treatment of Grave’s disease involves trying to reset the immune system, treating the thyroid hormone levels, and the eye problems that may develop.

There are two phases of thyroid eye disease that can occur at the same time as the thyroid dysfunction, after the onset of thyroid dysfunction, or may even precede detected thyroid dysfunction.

The two phases are:

  • An active phase (which can last for up to two years) where they may be redness, pain and swelling.
  • An inactive phase where the condition has settled down, but you may be left with long-term eye problems such as dry eye, double vision or a different eyelid position (ptosis or retraction).

Treating thyroid hormone levels

An overactive or underactive thyroid may be treated with medicine to correct the thyroid hormone levels in your blood.

Home treatment and self-care

Your doctor might also recommend the following during the active phase of thyroid eye disease:

  • Not smoking reduces the risk of more severe disease
  • Using extra pillows to raise your head while lying in bed
  • Wearing sunglasses if you are also affected by photophobia
  • Lubricating your eyes with eye drops
  • Avoiding irritants such as dust and dirt

Steroids

In severe cases of exophthalmos you may need high dose corticosteroids, and sometimes other similar disease modifying drugs. These help to control inflammation and stabilise the condition.

Radiotherapy

If corticosteroids are ineffective, orbital radiotherapy can be used alone or in conjunction with corticosteroids.

This type of treatment carries risks such as short-term vision problems, cataracts, and retinopathy.

Surgery

If exophthalmos is severe or persistent, surgery may be required. It may need to be carried out during the active phase, if exophthalmos poses an immediate threat to your vision, or in the inactive period.

Is Grave's disease hereditary?

It is unclear if Graves’ disease is hereditary, as many genetic and environmental factors can increase the risk of one having the disease. Nevertheless, those who have close relatives with an autoimmune disorder, including Graves’ disease, are more likely to develop it.

Does thyroid eye disease get better?

Symptoms of thyroid eye disease may worsen during the active phase, which can last for up to 2 years; however, thyroid eye disease can get better during the inactive period when the eye settles down. The right treatment can also help thyroid eye disease get better and improve the appearance of bug eyes.

Quick links:

A guide to retinal detachment
A guide to dry eye
A guide to double vision
Please wait
Why Us
  • 10% Off Your First Order
  • Price Match Guarantee
  • 5% Off with Auto-Replenish
  • Feel Good Contacts App
  • Save with comfi
  • Which comfi is for you?
  • Trustpilot Reviews
  • Student Discount
  • Reward Points
  • Reasons to Feel Good
Top Products
  • 1 Day Acuvue Moist
  • Dailies AquaComfort Plus
  • comfi Daily Disposable
  • Acuvue Oasys 1-Day with HydraLuxe
  • Dailies Total 1
  • Acuvue Oasys
  • 1 Day Acuvue Moist For Astigmatism
  • Air Optix Aqua
  • FreshLook Colorblends
  • Biofinity
Order Information
  • Optician Own Brand Contact Lenses
  • No Prescription Needed
  • Delivery Information
  • Returns and Exchange
  • Secure Online Shopping
  • Contact Lens Specifications
  • Optical Advice
  • FAQs
  • About Us
Contact Us
  • 01 514 3614
  • +44 7810 004 929 (WhatsApp)
  • +44 7810 004 929 (WhatsApp)
  • cs@feelgoodcontacts.ie
Customer Service Hours

Mon - Fri: 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sat - Sun: 9:00am - 5:30pm
Bank Holidays: 9:00am - 5:30pm

Download the app
Countries
  • feel good contacts united kingdom
  • feel good contacts ireland
  • feel good contacts france
Secure Payments Secure Payments
Secure Payments
©2023 Feel Good Contacts Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
T&Cs Privacy Policy Cookie Disclaimer Affiliate Program
Top