The most frequent conditions treated by this subspecialty as part of orbital disorders include inflammatory diseases (thyroid orbital disease and idiopathic orbital inflammation), infections, injuries and tumors.

Graves’ Disease:

In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland produces a larger amount of hormone than is required by the body. Because of this, people suffering from Grave’s disease are usually very fast-paced and exhibit symptoms such as weight-loss, irritability, heat intolerance, problems with the skin of the legs such as redness and swelling, tachycardia and, in women, changes in the menstrual cycles. Some of these patients may develop exophthalmos, a condition in which the eyes gradually bulge out of the orbit as a result of the accumulation of fluids in the tissues around the eyes, especially in the muscles. Aside from the cosmetic problems, this situation may lead to dry, red and edematous eyes, double vision, increased intraocular pressure, and even visual less. These patients require joint treatment by an endocrinologist and an ophthalmologist, and surgery may be needed on top of the medical treatment.

Trauma:

There is a growing number of cases of multiple trauma to the orbit because of fights, automobile accidents and sports. The injuries are not only skin wounds but also fractures of the bony structures of the four walls of the orbit that must be reduced and treated properly in order to restore the orbit`s protective function and the facial symmetry.

Tumors:

There are many types of tumors that may rise from the orbit because of the wide variety of tissues that comprise it, including bone, vessels, nerve, muscles, connective tissues, glands and skin. They may be malignant or benign overgrowths and prompt diagnosis is critical in order to provide adequate treatment, most often surgical. Idiopathic inflammations of the orbit require prompt and thorough work-up in order to succeed with the treatment. Antibiotic treatment for infectious inflammations is satisfactory although surgery is required occasionally when they evolve into intraorbital abscesses.