In the case of Graves' disease, the displacement of the eye results from abnormal connective tissue deposition in the orbit and extraocular muscles, which can be visualized by CT or MRI.

[1] If left untreated, exophthalmos can cause the eyelids to fail to close during sleep, leading to corneal dryness and damage.

Another possible complication is a form of redness or irritation called superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis, in which the area above the cornea becomes inflamed as a result of increased friction when blinking.

The process that is causing the displacement of the eye may also compress the optic nerve or ophthalmic artery, and lead to blindness.

Since the orbit is closed off posteriorly, medially and laterally, any enlargement of structures located within will cause the anterior displacement of the eye.

Rupture of more than two rectus muscles usually requires the eye to be removed, because significant blood vessel and nerve damage also usually occurs.