John W. Henderson

Optic nerve infarction

A specific type of optic disc damage and visual field loss has been emphasized. The changes occur acutely at the inferotemporal disc margin and do not seem to progress. Such patients have normal intraocular pressures. We have termed this entity acute inferotemporal prelaminar optic disc infarction syndrome in an effort to avoid using the word glaucoma. Although similar events can occur in glaucomatous eyes, we feel that such changes are not progressive and that sophisticated diagnostic studies should be avoided. Three cases are presented as examples.

Eye Changes With Thyroid Disease

Hypothyroidism occasionally produces periorbital myxedema, while hyperthyroidism can lead to exophthalmos. In the latter condition, the patients upper lids retract, his lids lag when he gazes down, and he blinks infrequently. In its severe form—endocrine exophthalmos—the eyes may bulge forward so much that corneal exposure occurs, leading to possible infection, perforation and loss of an eye.