Enophthalmos

Last edit by Alaric Steinmetz on

ICD-10: H05.4

ICD-11: 9A20.01

Enophthalmos refers to the condition in which the eyeball is recessed into the orbit. This phenomenon occurs due to a change in the position of the eyeball relative to the surrounding structures of the orbit. The pathophysiology of enophthalmos is complex and can be caused by different etiologies.

Illustration

Enophthalmos
Illustration of a patient with left-sided enophthalmos. Figure adapted from Hamedani, Mehrad, Jean-Antoine C. Pournaras, and David Goldblum. Diagnosis and management of enophthalmos. Survey of ophthalmology 52.5 (2007): 457-473.

Neurosurgical Relevance

A classic neurosurgical example of a condition where enophthalmos can be observed is Horner's syndrome[^1]. However, the enophthalmos in Horner's syndrome is usually only mildly pronounced and often clinically difficult to detect.