Orbital inflammatory pseudotumor is characterized by inflammation within the orbit, or eye socket, that mimics symptoms similar to a tumor in the same site. The cause is still unknown.

Orbital inflammatory pseudotumor usually occurs in only one eye. Symptoms may include:

• red eye;
• bulging eye;
• pain;
• double vision; and
• blurry or decreased vision.

Your ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) will probably order a CT scan to see if there is a thickening of your sclera (the white part of your eye), which is a hallmark of the condition. In order to rule out other conditions, your ophthalmologist may run other tests and biopsy orbital tissues if necessary.

Orbital inflammatory pseudotumor is usually treated with steroid medications. If further treatment is necessary, radiation therapy is another option. In some cases, treatment may fail to eliminate symptoms. In others, treatment will be effective but the symptoms may return, requiring additional treatments as needed.

(c) 2007 The American Academy of Ophthalmology