2025 Vision Quest: Ace Your Veterinary Ophthalmology Exam with Eye-Popping Confidence!

The term "normal size and abnormal position" specifically refers to exophthalmos, which is characterized by the outward protrusion of the eyeball. In this condition, the globe itself is of normal size, but it is displaced forward from its normal anatomic position due to various underlying causes, such as thyroid disease, tumors, or inflammatory conditions. This abnormal positioning can lead to changes in the appearance of the eye, as well as potential vision problems and discomfort for the patient.

Understanding exophthalmos is important in veterinary ophthalmology as it often indicates underlying systemic conditions that may require further investigation and intervention. In contrast, conditions like enophthalmos involve a retraction of the globe into the orbit, phthisis bulbi refers to a shrunken and non-functional eyeball, and microphthalmos describes a condition where the eye itself is abnormally small. These other conditions do not fit the description of having a normal-sized eye that is simply misaligned in its position.