Orbital Diseases

A range of conditions can affect the orbit.

Conditions

Developmental

Shallow orbit (brachycephalic breeds)

Micropthalmia/Anaopthalmia

Trauma

Penetrating foreign bodies

Proptosis Of The Globe

Infections

Orbital Cellulitis and Retrobulbar Abscesses

Neoplasia

Orbital Neoplasias

Miscellanous

Zygomatic Mucocele

Eosinophilic Myositis

Horner's Syndrome

Diagnostic Investigations

Palpation

Placing pressure through the eyelids can help determine the location and contents of the globes.

Oral Examination

In the presence of exopthalmos, pain on opening the mouth indicates an inflammatory process, whilst no pain indicates a neoplastic process. Where possible the soft tissue caudal to the rear upper molar should be palpated.

Ultrasound

Useful for evaluating soft tissue masses

MRI/CT

Useful for localising lesions, surgical planning and FNA/biopsies where appropriate.

References

Maggs, D et al (2007) Slatter's Fundamentals Of Veterinary Ophthalmology (Fourth Edition) Saunders