PURPOSE: To determine the normal exophthalmometry of both eyes and of the distance between lateral orbital rims (the base measurement) in young adults from ABC Region, São Paulo/Brazil. METHODS: Exophthalmometry, by Hertel's exophthalmometer, was made in 129 female and 75 male subjects, age ranging from 25 to 55 years. The subjects were divided in three groups of races (white, black and mulatto). RESULTS: The values of exophthalmometry ranged from 10 to 23mm, mean 15,57 ±2,43mm. In female the mean was 15,42 ±2,40mm and in male, 15,83 ±2,47mm. There is no statistically significant difference between female or male (p=0,25). In whites subjects the mean was 15,57 ±2,46mm, in black was 16,20 ±2,70mm and in mulatto was 15,02 ±2,01mm. There was a statistically significant difference between blaks and mulattos (p=0,008). The base measurement ranged from 104 to 125mm (mean 113,91 ±4,37mm). There was a statistically significant difference between males and females (p<0,001). In whites the base was 112,18 ±4,02mm, in blacks 115,37 ±4,71mm and in mulattos, 115,18 ±3,66mm. There was a statistically significant difference for the base measurement between white subjects and black ones, and between white subjects and mulattos (p<0,001). No individual had more than 2mm of assimetry between eyes. CONCLUSION: The normal exophthalmometric value in the studied population was 10 to 23mm and the base measurement ranged from 104 to 125mm.
Exophthalmos; Diagnostic techniques, ophthalmological; Reference values
