Carotid-Cavernous Fistula and Glaucoma: Venous Hypertension at the Eye
Early signs of a CCF can include a red, swollen eye, a bulging eyeball (proptosis), a noise like a whoosh in the head (bruit), and vision changes....
Proptosis
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proptosis
Proptosis means that the eyeball is pushed forward so that it appears to bulge or protrude from the eye socket. It can affect one or both eyes and ranges from a mild forward shift to obvious bulging. Causes include inflammation behind the eye, tumors, abnormal blood vessels, and disorders that affect the tissues around the eye. Symptoms often include a noticeable bulging eye, discomfort, redness, double vision, and difficulty fully closing the eyelids. When the eye is pushed forward it can dry the surface of the eye, increase the risk of corneal injury, and put pressure on the optic nerve, which can threaten vision. Doctors assess proptosis with a physical exam and imaging such as CT or MRI to determine what is causing the displacement. Sudden or rapidly worsening proptosis is an emergency because it can quickly damage the eye or vision. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include medications, procedures to reduce inflammation or blood flow, radiation, or surgery; addressing the cause early helps protect sight and relieve symptoms.