Enophthalmos is seen in –
## Core Concept
Enophthalmos refers to the posterior displacement or sinking of the globe of the eye into the orbit. This condition can result from various causes, including trauma, tumors, and systemic diseases that lead to atrophy or shrinkage of orbital contents.
## Why the Correct Answer is Right
The correct answer, . **C. Horner syndrome**, is associated with enophthalmos due to the disruption of sympathetic nerves supplying the eye and orbit. This disruption leads to a relaxation of the orbital smooth muscles, particularly the Müller's muscle, which normally provides some degree of support to the globe. As a result, the eyeball sinks posteriorly into the orbit, causing enophthalmos. Other features of Horner syndrome include ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis.
## Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect
* **Option A:** Conditions like thyroid ophthalmopathy typically cause exophthalmos (bulging of the eye out of the orbit) rather than enophthalmos.
* **Option B:** While orbital fractures can cause a variety of ocular motility and positioning issues, they are more commonly associated with enophthalmos only if there is a significant displacement of orbital contents posteriorly.
* **Option D:** A condition like orbital cellulitis causes swelling of the orbital tissues and typically results in proptosis (bulging of the eye) rather than enophthalmos.
## Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact
A key clinical correlation to remember is that enophthalmos can be a subtle sign of **Horner syndrome**, and its presence alongside ptosis and miosis can help in diagnosing this condition.
## Correct Answer: C. Horner syndrome