Diagnosis and Treatment of a Red, Swollen Eye

Abstract

Unilateral eye swelling, redness, and pain may represent a diagnostic challenge to many clinicians. The differential diagnosis is broad and includes both nonemergent and emergent diagnoses. While the emergent diagnoses must be made and treatment initiated immediately, the nonemergent differential also includes life- and vision-threatening entities. The diagnosis of idiopathic orbital inflammatory syndrome (IOIS) is characterized by acute-onset, typically unilateral periorbital swelling, chemosis, and proptosis. It can be differentiated from other entities by radiologic findings and rapid response to corticosteroids; however, it is often a diagnosis of exclusion. We report a case-based discussion including distinguishing features, diagnostic modalities, and treatment of similar entities involving periorbital/orbital edema and conjunctival injection complicated by a past medical history of breast cancer.

Clinical case of abrupt disapperance of chemosis after intravenous use of corticosteroids

“…Moreover, she had been treated for a long time without success in other departments. Soon (within 24 hours) after she received oral prednisone, all her symptoms disappeared (9). Thus, we see that only the systemic use of hormones resulted in a quick recovery.…”

Non specific orbital inflammatory disease – A review article

“…14 Clinically, it presents with unilateral orbital or periorbital pain which gets exaggerated with eye movements, acute or subacute diplopia, ocular motility restriction, proptosis, eyelid swelling and conjunctival injection at the site of tendon insertion. 15 The most frequently involved muscle is the medial rectus followed by the superior, lateral and inferior rectus muscles. 16 Isolated levator palpebrae muscle involvement has also been seldom reported.…”