What is hyperopthalmia?

[Edwin]

hyper -> super/scary
opthalmia -> eyeballs?

Can someone explain what hyperopthalmia means?

Thanks.

[Christina]

Well Edwin I will be the first to say honestly I don't know!

[Christina]

OH yeah and the Hyper=High when it comes to medically translating that word maybe Higheyeballs???

[Linds]

I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that it is a condition commonly found in some species of colubrids such as (leucistic texas rats) where the eyes protrude excessively, sort of bug out a bit ;)

[vanderkm]

Linds is right, it is enlargement of the eyeball, so that it protrudes. It is associated with several medical conditions and also is present is lines of leucistic texas rats.

Mary v.

[Cas]

I've seen pics of some leucistic rats with really excessive buggy eyes... I think "scary eyeballs" is a good translation for them *L*

Dawn

[Edwin]

oh ok, so my guess'wasnt far off the mark then... super scary eyeballs, lol

Does this mean that these ratsnakes have 'googly' eyes? Is this a health hazard?

http://www.dedasys.com/davidw/java.html

[eyespy]

It's often a symptom of an underlying endocrine system problem, like thyroid disease or other glandular problems. Bloodwork interpreted by a qualified reptile vet is probably in order when hyperophtalmia is seen. Unfortunately, there arent' always normal blood levels known within species for good comparison values.