Exophthalmia is primarily a symptom associated with which disease?

Exophthalmia, also known as proptosis, is the abnormal protrusion of the eyeball, and it is primarily associated with Graves' disease. This autoimmune condition affects the thyroid gland, leading to hyperthyroidism and associated orbital manifestations, such as swelling and inflammation behind the eyes, which causes exophthalmia.

In Graves' disease, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to produce excess thyroid hormones. This condition is often accompanied by symptoms affecting the eyes due to inflammation and swelling of the tissues around the eyes, leading to the characteristic protrusion observed in exophthalmia.

Understanding this connection between Graves' disease and exophthalmia helps clarify the symptomatology of thyroid disorders and highlights the importance of recognizing ocular changes as part of the evaluation of hyperthyroid conditions.