Bulging eye?.... scary?

Question

I have been having mild to severe headaches for a week or so... they usually only last a few mins but some times a few hours...(i think due to my neck muscles) and today while looking in the mirror at an angle i noticed that one of my eyes is out a little further than the other ... i have poor eyesight in that eye so i cant tell if its getting worse... its only out about a 1/4 of an inch and it isn't painful other than sometimes when i get a headache but only for short periods.... i have never looked to see if they sit the same before but it is kind of scary i think what if it is like my brain swelling or something serious.... think i should be worried or just wait and see if anything else happens?

Answer 1

The headaches and the proptosis should be of some concern. Most reasons for eye bulges or proptosis are orbital or periorbital such as a sinus infection that has broken into the orbit. An orbital cellulitis can be a life threatening problem and should be addressed soon, eg. tomorrow!

If your vision is good and you have no ocular signs of posterior pressure such as brain cavity pressure, which would manifest as bulging nerves in the eye or papilledema, you should be worked up. Are there any associated nerve problems such as a paralysis of the eye muscles making the eye not move right?

Benign intracraneal hypertension is common, also called pseudotumor, but other more dangerous causes such as meningitis, sinus infections, cavernous sinus thrombosis or other venous thrombosis (clotting), or intracraneal tumors or cysts such as pituitary adenomas or cysts, or systemic problems such as sarcoidosis, lupus, etc. all can lead to these symptoms. Tuberulosis and syphilis and diabetes can mimic ANYTHING!

See an ophthalmologist who does general ophthalmology not just cataract surgery..., then a neurologist. Might need to see an ENT but start with someone who knows eye disease fairly well and can direct you to the correct specialist in a timely fashion.

This is one of those time where watching and waiting are NOT good ideas.