^

Health

A
A
A

Orbital myositis

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
 
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Orbital myositis is an idiopathic nonspecific inflammation of one or more extraocular muscles and is considered a form of idiopathic orbital inflammation.

trusted-source[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ]

Symptoms of Orbital Myositis

Orbital myositis manifests itself in young adults as acute pain that intensifies with eye movements.

Eyelid edema, ptosis, and chemosis. Increased pain when looking toward the affected muscle(s), usually with diplopia due to limited mobility. Injection of vessels over the affected muscle. Mild exophthalmos.

Course of orbital myositis

  • acute non-recurrent disease that spontaneously resolves within 6 weeks;
  • chronic course in the form of a long-term (more than 2 months, often years) single episode or recurrent exacerbations, which can lead to restrictive myopathy.

Where does it hurt?

What's bothering you?

Diagnosis of orbital myositis

CT shows fusiform thickening of the affected muscles with or without tendon involvement.

Differential diagnosis includes orbital cellulitis, dyssteroid myopathy and Tolosa-llunt syndrome.

trusted-source[ 13 ], [ 14 ], [ 15 ]

What do need to examine?

Who to contact?

Treatment of orbital myositis

Aimed at relieving discomfort and restoring functions, reducing the duration of relapses and preventing them.

  1. NSAIDs may be quite effective in mild cases.
  2. Systemic steroid therapy is usually necessary and produces significant effects, although relapses occur in 50% of cases.
  3. Radiotherapy is also effective, especially in preventing recurrence.

More information of the treatment

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.