What is Orbital Diseases?
Orbital disease in patients with rheumatic disease may include primary inflammation of the orbital tissue (e.g., orbital pseudotumor or orbital inflammatory syndrome), inflammation of the extraocular muscles (e.g., orbital myositis), or contiguous spread of inflammation from the sinuses, which most typically occurs in ANCA-associated granulomatous vasculitis.94-96 The most common initial sign of orbital disease is proptosis or anterior displacement of the eye caused by a space-occupying lesion or inflammatory process. Associated symptoms and signs include pain, blurred vision, diplopia (double vision) as a result of restriction of eye movement, eyelid swelling, and displacement of the globe. In ANCA-associated granulomatous vasculitis, orbital involvement is common and occurs in 15% to 50% of patients, and in some series it is the most common form of ophthalmic involvement.94-96 Orbital disease may be an extension of granulomatous inflammation from the sinus into the orbit.
The orbit is the bony cavity where the eyeball resides along with its associated muscles, blood vessels and nerves. It functions to protect the delicate eye and its associated structures but it is susceptible to infection, disease and injury.
EVALUATING ORBITAL DISEASE
Most optometrists do not encounter orbital disease frequently in practice. However, we should be comfortable enough to take the next appropriate step in management. When we evaluate a patient for orbital disease.
- Trauma
- Autoimmune-Related Disease
- Inflammation
- Orbital Trauma
Trauma and injury can also affect the orbit. Some of the more common injuries include lacerations of the eyelid, damage to the tear drain, bleeding or bruising in or around the eye and bone fractures of the eye socket. Car accidents, sports injuries and fist fights are among the most common causes of these injuries.
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