Bulging Eyes

Symptoms of bulging eyes

You may have bulging eyes if:

your eyes seem to be sticking out more than usual
you can see less of your upper eye lids (your eyes might look like they're open very wide)
you can see more of the whites of your eyes

Any other symptoms you have will depend on what's causing your eyes to stick out, but could include:

pain or problems closing your eyes or moving them around
dry eyes or feeling like there's dirt or grit in them
your eyes are uncomfortable in, or sensitive to, bright light
blurred or double vision

Causes of bulging eyes

A common cause of bulging eyes is an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).

This is where the thyroid gland (a small gland in your neck), produces too much of the thyroid hormones.

Less common causes of bulging eyes include:

an infection or injury around or behind your eyes
bleeding behind the eyes or problems with blood vessels behind the eyes
tumours, including those caused by neuroblastoma and some soft tissue sarcomas

See a GP if:

you have a bulging eye or bulging eyes

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if:

your child's eye or eyes have just started bulging
your eye or eyes have started bulging and you have any changes to your vision, like wavy lines, flashing or loss of vision
your eye or eyes have started bulging and you have a severe headache or feel sick
you have severe eye pain, or severe eye pain that started suddenly

Find your nearest A&E

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring any medicines you take with you.

Treatment for bulging eyes

Treatment for bulging eyes depends on the cause.

You may need:

eyedrops, gels or ointments
medicine prescribed by a doctor (if the bulging is caused by an infection, swelling, or a problem with your thyroid gland)
surgery to correct any bulging that does not go away after other treatments

If the cause is not clear, a GP may refer you to a specialist and you may need further tests.

Things you can do if you have bulging eyes

If you have bulging eyes, there are things you can do to help ease your symptoms.

Do

use pillows to keep your head raised up when lying down
wear sunglasses if your eyes are sensitive in bright light
if you wear contact lenses, take them out and wear glasses to rest your eyes

Don't

do not smoke or drink too much alcohol
do not spend too long in smoky, dry or dusty places
do not spend too long in air conditioned or heated rooms

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