Why Hyperthyroidism Cause Exophthalmos?

The immune cells that attack the thyroid in Graves' disease also accumulate within the eye socket. The fatty tissue and muscles around the eye become large, pushing the eye forward and out.

How does hyperthyroidism cause eye problems?

The condition can make your eyes bulge. That's because it mostly affects your orbit, the area in your skull where your eyeballs sit. Immune cells can cause inflammation that make the muscles, fat, and other tissue in this area expand. If there's a lot of swelling, you may not be able to close your eyes all the way.

What causes exophthalmos pathophysiology?

The most common cause for unilateral or bilateral exophthalmos is thyroid eye disease, or Graves ophthalmopathy. The proptosis arises from inflammation, cellular proliferation, and accumulation of fluid in the tissues that surround the eyeball in its socket, or orbit.