An eyeball “popping out” is a severe medical emergency, known as proptosis or luxation of the globe, where the eye protrudes abnormally from its socket. This condition demands immediate medical attention due to potential damage to the eye and surrounding structures, threatening vision and overall eye health. While rare, understanding this phenomenon is important.
What Happens When an Eyeball Protrudes
When an eyeball protrudes, it visibly bulges forward from its normal position within the bony orbit. This displacement can be partial or complete, with the eye appearing unnaturally prominent, sometimes revealing the white of the eye above and below the iris. The orbit, or eye socket, is a bony cavity housing the eyeball, muscles, nerves, and fatty tissue that maintain its position.
The protrusion occurs when there is an increase in volume behind the eye, pushing the globe forward. This can happen due to severe trauma to the head or eye, which might directly dislodge the eye or cause bleeding and swelling behind it. Certain underlying medical conditions can also lead to this, such as thyroid eye disease, where inflammation and swelling of the orbital tissues and muscles occur, displacing the eye. Other causes include infections within the eye socket, tumors, or abnormal blood vessel formations behind the eye. The eye’s delicate structures, including the optic nerve and extraocular muscles, are stretched and put under immense pressure during such an event, which can lead to complications like double vision or difficulty closing the eyelids.
Immediate Actions After Eyeball Protrusion
Call emergency services, such as 911, immediately. While waiting for professional help, do not attempt to push the eye back into the socket, as this can cause further damage to delicate structures. Help the person lie down comfortably on their back, encouraging them to keep their eyes as still as possible.
To protect the exposed eye from drying out, gently cover it with a clean, moist cloth or sterile dressing. Avoid direct pressure on the eyeball when securing the dressing. Keeping the person calm and reassured can help manage the situation until medical professionals arrive. Do not give the person anything to eat or drink.
Professional Medical Care and Recovery
Upon arrival at a medical facility, professionals will immediately assess the eye and patient’s overall condition. Pain management will alleviate discomfort. The primary goal is to carefully reposition the eye back into its socket. This may involve gentle manipulation or, in some cases, surgical intervention.
Managing swelling and preventing infection are high priorities, often involving medications like corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and antibiotics to combat infections. Depending on the cause and severity of the protrusion, further surgical procedures, such as orbital decompression surgery, might be necessary to create more space within the eye socket and prevent future occurrences. Recovery challenges can include persistent double vision, corneal dryness due to incomplete eyelid closure, or even permanent vision loss in severe cases, requiring extensive follow-up care and long-term management with eye drops, prisms, or further surgeries.