Non‐traumatic enophthalmos: a review

Abstract

ABSTRACT.Enophthalmos can be defined as a relative, posterior displacement of a normal-sized globe in relation to the bony orbital margin. Non-traumatic enophthalmos has a wide variety of clinical presentations and may be the first manifestation of a number of local or systemic conditions. It may present with cosmetic problems such as deep superior sulcus, pseudoptosis or eyelid retraction; or functional problems such as diplopia or exposure keratopathy. There are three main pathogenic mechanisms: structural alterations in the bony orbit; orbital fat atrophy; and retraction. Evaluation of enophthalmos patients includes orbital imaging and a thorough ophthalmic and systemic examination. In this review, we discuss the presenting features of non-traumatic enophthalmos and include a brief description of the more important causes. An approach to the clinical evaluation of these patients is also discussed together with a brief overview of the principles of management.

Enophthalmos and Hemifacial Skeletal Atrophy After Trigeminal Nerve Injury

“…3,6 However, in addition to the bony changes sometimes seen, in these conditions there is marked soft tissue atrophy, something not seen in our patient. Trauma has been thought to precipitate 24% to 34% of cases of PHA, but this has usually been facial or dental trauma or surgery, and not trigeminal nerve injury.…”

Nocturnal lagophthalmos: never seen before in hypernatraemic dehydration

“…Similarly, enophthalmic eye can have widened palpebral fissure but this mostly occurs in association with injury to the orbital area. Athanasiov et al 8 described lid retraction as a cause of enophthalmus but this is not relevant to our case. Both children had one finding in common and it was quite characteristic, and it caused parental anxiety.…”

Acquired enophthalmos with systemic lupus erythematosus

“…2 Other causes of post-inflammatory enophthalmos are very rare. In our case, enophthalmos developed as post-inflammatory changes after systemic manifestations of SLE and corticosteroid treatment of SLE.…”