Popeye IS a killer. There are people who really think that Popeye should be left alone and take a 'wait-and-see' approach. I think you have a fine opportunity to comment on such an approach.
Usually the Popeye is an outward symptom of an internal, ocular infection either bacterial or fungal in nature. It is mostly brought on by trauma, bad water quality, and/or a decline of the fish's immune system (e.g., poor nutrition over time) -- the same underlying causes of other symptoms like cloudy eye(s) and even swelling of the eye. Only this infection has affected the ocular area, rather than giving other symptoms, like those associated with septicemia. Some trauma incidents can break the blood vassals in the eye and could also leak blood behind the eye.
The eye may protrude from pressure behind it caused by fluid or gas. The latter is not as common. What you are seeing is one of the 'norms' going to the extreme without treatment soon enough.
Proper treatment is to kill the bacteria or fungus that is causing the symptom. (OR, in the case of blood, the pressure can be relieved by draining the area with a needle). Treatment is usually a strong antibiotic/antifungal medication that is fed into, or will penetrate into the fish from surrounding water.
There is a significant increase in the number of cases of Popeye being presented. It used to be a very rare occurrence, some books not even mentioning the symptom. Now, however, I see fish coming in from the collectors like this!
But this is of no surprise. I see a general increase in bacterial afflictions of fish coming through the system. This is just one in that category.
Aquarists have to compensate for this by providing the best water, best environment, and best nutrition for our fishes. We've done fairly well with the first two (with occasional regression), but the last one -- fish nutrition -- is slipping behind.
