The orbit is present in the skull. It is bony and pyramid shaped cavity. It protects the eyeballs and related structures. Orbital tissues swelling is known as orbital pseudotumor. It is also called as idiopathic orbital inflammatory syndrome (IOIS). But these tumors are not like cancerous tumors, they do not spread elsewhere or invade other tissues. This article gives information about orbital pseudotumor.
Symptoms
- IOIS can be quite painful. Pain is the most common symptom of this disease.
- Decreased vision is also one of the symptom.
- It may also result in eyelid swelling.
- Rarely you may also observe red eye.
Causes
Actual cause is not known. It commonly affects young women.
Some of the common causes include:
- Sarcoidosis
- Scleritis
- Thyroid eye disease
- Orbital vasculitis
- Infectious orbital cellulitis
- Sjogren’s disease
- Orbital myositis
- Malignant ocular tumors
- Wegener’s granulomatosis
Tests and Exams
The pseudotumor changes can be seen by examining the eye. Tests to differentiate pseudotumor and tumor include:
- Biopsy
- Skull x-ray
- Ultrasound
Treatment for orbital pseudotumor
Mild cases may not require any treatment. Corticosteroids are used to treat the severe cases. Some severe cases develop pressure on the eye and may damage it. This requires surgical movement of the orbit bones to relieve pressure on the eye.
Prognosis
Most of the cases are mild and can be cured itself without any treatment. Severe cases may sometimes be resistant to the treatment and it may result in visual loss.
Possible complications
Severe cases may push the eye forward to an extent that the eyelids can no more protect the cornea. This can lead to drying of the eye which is affected. In fact, this may result in damage to the corneal clarity or corneal ulcer. The eye muscles may not aim the eye properly and it may result in double vision.
If you experience redness, pain, decreased vision or irritation of the cornea, consult your health care provider or ophthalmologist right way.
