orbital fat, a semifluid adipose cushion that lines the bony orbit supporting the eye. Selective loss of fatty tissue caused by hormonal imbalances may produce “bulging” of the eye. Traumatic loss of the fat causes a sunken appearance of the eye. Replacement of the fat by tumor or abnormal tissue may be discovered on ophthalmological examination. The examiner gently presses on the front of the eyes through the eyelids. Normally each eye may be displaced 0.5 cm into the socket.
