Proptosis and increase of intraocular pressure in voluntary lid fissure widening.

The eyeball proptoses about 0.5 mM and increases in intraocular pressure (IOP) about 2 mmHg with voluntary widening of the lid fissure. The findings probably result from the retraction of the upper lid into the orbit, thus increasing the volume of orbit contents and forcing the eyeball forward. Decrease in IOP with repeated tonometry may result, in part, from decay of the increased pressure induced by lid fissure widening.