Inflammation

Any or all of the structures within the orbit may become inflamed. The inflammation can be part of another disease process, such as Wegener's granulomatosis, in which inflammation affecting blood vessels (called vasculitis) occurs, or inflammation may occur for no apparent reason. Inflammation affecting the white coat (sclera) of the eye is called scleritis. Inflammation affecting the lacrimal gland, located at the upper outer edge of the orbit (see Section 20, Chapter 228), is called inflammatory dacryoadenitis. If inflammation affects one of the muscles that move the eye, it is called myositis. Inflammation affecting the entire orbit and its contents is called inflammatory orbital pseudotumor (which is not really a tumor and is not a cancer) or nonspecific orbital inflammation.

Symptoms vary depending on which structures are actually inflamed. In general, symptoms start rather suddenly, typically over a few days. Pain and redness of the eyeball or eyelid occur. Pain can be severe and incapacitating at times. A doctor may take a sample from the inflamed area for examination under a microscope (biopsy) to determine the cause.

Inflammation is usually treated with a corticosteroid drug, which can be given by mouth. Corticosteroids can be given intravenously if the inflammation is severe.