What is exophthalmos?

Exophthalmos refers specifically to the abnormal protrusion of the eyeball. This condition is often associated with various medical issues, particularly thyroid disorders such as Graves’ disease. In exophthalmos, the eyeballs bulge out from their normal positions within the eye sockets, which can lead to various symptoms, including visual disturbances, discomfort, and altered appearance. The term itself derives from Greek roots: "exo" meaning external or outside, and "phthalmos," which means eye.

Understanding this term is important in the medical field because its presence can indicate significant underlying health issues related to endocrine function. In contrast, other choices refer to different medical conditions: vision impairment relates to issues affecting eyesight, infection of the eye refers to conditions like conjunctivitis or keratitis, and severe headache refers to pain in the head that may arise from various neurological or physical causes.