what would make one eye slightly appear to bulge...?

[joko]

not suddenly, but over time it seems to be getting more prominent.

its not obvious, only to me and if i point it out others can tell

i can feel it too...it doesnt hurt...but i can just 'feel' the eye as opposed to it just being there...if you get me...

any ideas?

thanks

[Buenchico]

Increased pressure within an eyeball (making it bulge) could possibly be an early sign of glaucoma. If it's not treated it can lead to blindness. (But if it's caught early the outlook is good).

That's not the only possible cause of your condition but it should be enough to persuade you to CONSULT YOUR GP - which is usually the best advice in this section anyway!

Chris

[boxtops]

..or go to your optician, if there is something amiss in the eye, they are skilled to spot it. Whatever you do, take advice soon, don't leave it, please.

[Buenchico]

A valid point, Boxtops. Visiting an optician might be better than seeing a GP because opticians have got those devices which blast a jet of air into your eyeball to measure the internal pressure. (If you were to see a GP he might have to refer you to a hospital for the same test).

[joko]

was tested at an opticians about 5 months ago, and it was fine

though a few years ago i was told there was mild wear on the disc in on eye...but that it no problem...

[Mamyalynne]

joko go get double checked and see GP about thyroid levels, I have advanced open angle Glaucoma and severe problems from its late diagnosis ( my fault) so belt and braces here and wish you well.

PS No eye bulgimg in my case but still worth checking. ♥

[Sqad]

I don't know how old you are but overactive thyroid comes to mind.

Mamyalane is correct although I would bypass the optician in your case and go directly to your GP where an Ophthalmologist referral is likely.

[york310]

As mentioned above this concern needs to be investigated as soon as possible. Raised intra ocular pressure alone would not cause this 'eye bulging' or proptosis. Thyroid eye disease can be associated with an over active thyroid and is a result of a build up of fatty tissue behind the eyeball. This is usually seen in both eyes at the same time and called graves disease. The effect this pressure on the back of the eye can be seen on examination of the eye as it can cause swelling of the optic nerve. In extreme cases of this condition the eye muscles can also be affected with double vision and other symptoms arising.

If this is affecting one eye only it is important to rule out if there is something behind the globe causing the issue on the back of one eye alone. Whether this is a trivial matter or something more sinister can only be determined by specialist assessment.

Do you have any pain or other symptoms? Is it the eye ball that appears to bulge or could out be that the eye lids appear different between the two eyes?

This needs to be seen. Is there a walk in gp service near you, is your local optometrists open today.

[joko]

hi thanks all...yes it only one eye...and for years ive had an on and off dull 'ache' in it...where i am 'aware' of the eye...and i feel the need to press on it, if you get me...

its hard to say whether its the lids or not...but thats what look different...even the creases are diffrent on the eyes because of this

i had my head scanned a few years ago because of this... and it was fine...

you wouldnt notice it at all to look at me...it is only a very slight bulge and i only notice it because its my face...

bulge is probably the wrong world...rather slightly protruding...

puffer tests for glaucoma were clear too - though there is glaucoma in my family - could it have suddenly come on? in one eye?

i dont know about a walk-in centre...i will make an appointment in the morning i think

[joko]

when they did the scans they discovered a thickening of the skull bone across my forehead...they checked a year later and said it was fine...could this be something to do with it?

[tamborine]

Iritis possibly ? OH had similar in left eye, connected to arthritis.

[Sqad]

I agree totally with all that york 123 has said, except.........the commonest cause of one eye bulging (unilateral exophthalmos) is thyroid disease( over active thyroid)

I cannot think of an association between thickening of the skull and one eye bulging.

[237SJ]

Is it the actual eyeball that`s bulging, or the lid/area around it?

[gregnummer]

Joko, did you ever find out whats wrong with your eye? I have the same problem verbatim.