During an assessment of the eyes, the nurse documents protrusion of both eyeballs. What is the name of this abnormality?

A) Hyperopia: Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is a refractive error where distant objects can be seen clearly, but close objects appear blurry. This condition occurs when the eyeball is too short or the cornea has too little curvature, causing light entering the eye to focus behind the retina. People with hyperopia often experience difficulty reading or seeing objects up close but can see distant objects more clearly.

B) Myopia: Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the opposite of hyperopia. It is a refractive error where nearby objects are seen clearly, but distant objects appear blurry. This occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea has too much curvature, causing light to focus in front of the retina. Myopia affects distance vision, not close vision.

C) Mydriasis: Mydriasis refers to the dilation of the pupils, which can occur as a result of various factors, including certain medications, lighting conditions, or neurological issues. It is not related to the refractive errors such as farsightedness or nearsightedness and does not describe a condition involving clarity of vision at different distances.

D) Miosis: Miosis is the opposite of mydriasis and refers to the constriction of the pupils. It typically occurs in response to bright light or certain medications. Like mydriasis, miosis is not related to refractive errors or the clarity of vision at different distances, and does not describe farsightedness.

A) Acromegaly: Acromegaly is a condition caused by excess growth hormone, leading to enlargement of bones and tissues, particularly in the hands, feet, and face. While facial features can appear more pronounced due to bone growth, acromegaly itself does not cause facial drooping as a prominent symptom. The condition does not typically present with the sudden onset of facial weakness or asymmetry associated with drooping.

B) Bell’s Palsy: Bell’s Palsy is a disorder that affects the facial nerve, leading to sudden, unilateral facial drooping or paralysis. It is often caused by inflammation of the facial nerve, and facial drooping is one of its hallmark symptoms. It usually occurs on one side of the face, causing weakness or loss of muscle tone, leading to the drooping appearance.

C) CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident): A CVA, or stroke, can result in facial drooping, typically on one side of the face, if the stroke affects areas of the brain controlling facial muscles. A common sign of a stroke is the sudden development of facial asymmetry, including drooping of the mouth or eyelid. It is an important symptom to monitor in assessing neurological function following a stroke.

D) Parkinson’s Disease: Parkinson’s disease can cause facial changes, such as reduced blinking and a "masked" appearance, but it does not typically cause facial drooping in the same way that Bell's Palsy or a CVA would. Parkinson’s-related facial changes stem from reduced movement rather than sudden weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. While facial expression can be diminished, true drooping is less common.