A 29-year-old physical therapist has an eyeball that appears to be protruding. What is the most likely diagnosis?

The diagnosis of exophthalmos is characterized by the protrusion of one or both eyeballs, often associated with conditions such as hyperthyroidism, particularly Graves’ disease. This condition can lead to inflammation and swelling of the muscles and fat behind the eyes, resulting in the eyes appearing bulging or protruded.

In contrast, glaucoma is primarily related to increased intraocular pressure, which can cause progressive vision loss, but it does not typically present with protrusion of the eyeballs. Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid margins, often resulting in redness and crusting but does not involve the position of the eyeball. Conjunctivitis involves inflammation of the conjunctiva, leading to redness and discharge, but it does not cause a protrusion of the eyeball either. Thus, the signs and symptoms presented align closely with exophthalmos as the underlying condition affecting the position of the eyes.