When an abnormal amount of the eye “white" is exposed, it may be because the eyeball is pushed forward. When this happens, the cause is often a swelling or growth that occurs behind the eye. The eye may feel dry and the patient may have difficulty seeing and may have double vision or blurriness. The eyelid may not close properly.

The most common cause of bulging eyes is Graves’ disease, a type of hyperthyroidism (which is an overactive thyroid gland). Other causes may be eye tumors or an eye infection. Other people simply have shallow eye sockets as their normal appearance.

Excessive skin, fat and aging in the upper or lower eyelid. Baggy eyelids are sometimes referred to as “puffy" or “heavy" eyelids. While some people are born with heavy eyelids others may develop excess skin and puffiness as a result of the sun exposure, the aging process or injury. Blepharoplasty is the name of the surgery that is performed to remove excess skin and fat of the eyelids to improve appearance.

Blepharitis can result in eye and eyelid redness, irritation, crusting, and a dry or sandy feeling in the eyes and is often found in association with dry eyes. The symptoms may be annoying, and treatment may be initiated if the symptoms are severe enough to warrant it. In general, blepharitis does not cause any sight threatening problems except in very severe cases.

Blepharospasm is the name for a condition in which the eye blinks excessively and involuntarily. It usually occurs in persons in their 50’s or 60’s, and to women more commonly than men.

While its cause is not yet known, it is believed that blepharospasm is caused when there is a miscommunication among the signals between the brain and the eye muscle. The patient may also experience spasms of the face and neck muscles as well. Some people may have an episode of blepharospasm while for others, it becomes a chronic condition. Several treatments exist to help control the spasm.