It's impolite to stare, but the person with exophthalmos can't stop himself. In fact, he's probably having difficulty closing his eyes at all. Exophthalmos is a disorder where the eyes protrude from the sockets, giving the individual a bulgy-eyed, shocked expression. Grave's disease is perhaps the most common cause of exophthalmos, but it doesn't typically cause dizziness. When exophthalmos is combined with dizziness, it can be a sign of several different disorders.
Histiocytosis
The disorder known as histiocytosis is of unclear origin. It has been linked to cancer, but modern theories point to an autoimmune connection. A genetic predisposition is present in some cases.
This disease manifests as an increase in histiocytes, cells created by the immune system. Its effects are widespread throughout the body, and exophthalmos is one of them. The patient with histiocytosis may experience an ever-increasing protrusion of the eyes, along with dizziness, according to MedlinePlus.
Along with these symptoms, histiocytosis produces a long list of other unpleasant effects, including long-term ear drainage, rash, vomiting, bone pain and irritability.
Neuroblastoma
Cancer causes some frightening effects, especially when it occurs in the young. Neuroblastoma is a malignant tumor of the sympathetic nerve tissue that is found in infants and children. Sympathetic nerves are those that control internal organ functions such as heart rate and digestion. This type of tumor can form anywhere sympathetic nerves exist.
Neuroblastomas sometimes grow in the sockets of the eyes, where they take up space and push the eyes outward. MedlinePlus adds that problems with balance, and thus dizziness, are sometime seen with neuroblastomas as well.
Drug Side Effects
Unfortunately, the medications prescribed to ease a condition or symptom often create undesirable symptoms of their own. Numerous prescription drugs are associated with the side effects of bulging eyes and dizziness. A brief list of such medications includes: Prednisone, a corticosteroid used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; Celestone, used in treating allergic disorders; and Lithium, a drug that addresses the symptoms of manic depression.
