Orbital Varix (Varices)

Introduction:

What is an orbital varix?

An orbital varix is a thin walled vein enlarged abnormally in the orbit (bony socket surrounding the eye), that is in direct communication with the normal vessels of the orbit. It is like a varicose vein behind the eye. Orbital varices may be primary (congenital, most likely present from birth and restricted to the orbit) or secondary (acquired due to raised blood flow in relation with added venous deformations elsewhere in the body). Symptoms such as eye pain and/or orbital bleeding (hemorrhage) intermittent double vision (diplopia) or sudden onset bulging eyes (proptosis ), may be brought on by bending, stooping, straining or coughing. Small lesions are managed through observation. Larger lesions may need orbital surgery/ Orbitotomy.

Primary orbital varices are generally idiopathic. Secondary ones are those that are caused due to conditions such as intracranial arteriovenous malformations, dual arteriovenous fistula etc, which drain via the orbit.

Epidemiology:

Orbital varix, being a very uncommon condition, constitutes for approximately 1.3% of all orbital tumours. Though it is said to be congenital, and hence present at birth, patients classically do not present with symptoms until later childhood or until they have attained early adulthood (10-30 years of age).

Clinical Picture:

  • These type of lesions are classically associated with sudden onset, irregular diplopia (double vision) or bulging of eye forwards, during episodes of straining the eyes or stooping/prone position.
  • Due to protracted distension, more room for the eye may be created when not distended leading to posterior displacement of the eyeball (paradoxical enopthalmos), when the person is lying down or the orbit is at rest.
  • Orbital venous varices most commonly lead to intraorbital hemorrhage. These can also be acutely symptomatic & painful, if they get thrombosed. Such patients present with symptoms such as proptosis (forward displacement of the eye), pain in the eye & orbital region and diminished visual acuity.
  • Very rarely, lesions which are larger in size with involvement of superior ophthalmic vein can present as a mass in the lacrimal region.
  • Orbital venous varix is said to be associated with intracranial venous deformities, which may or may not have direct connection with the varix in some of the cases.

Diagnosis:

It can be very difficult or almost impossible to diagnose orbital varix without a procedure called

Proptosis Surgery | Big Eyes | Cavernous Hemangioma | Orbital Lymphoma | Oculoplastic Surgery India

 

Exophthalmos, also called proptosis, is a bulging of the eye anteriorly out of the orbit (bulging eyes or big eyes). Exophthalmos can be either bilateral (as is often seen in Graves’ disease or Thyroi…

Proptosis | Exophthalmos| Cavernous Hemangioma| Lateral Orbitotomy Surgery in Mumbai, India

 

The orbit is the cavity or socket of the skull (head) in which the eye and its appendages are situated. In the orbit, fat tissue, which surrounds the eyeball and its muscles, keeps the rotation of the…

Finding the right doctor for orbital varix treatment

If you are looking for orbital varix treatment, then finding the right doctor can make a world of difference. Because orbital varix treatment is the treatment of a rare vascular orbital tumor disease, chances are that only a few doctors like Dr. Debraj Shome at The Esthetic Clinics will be available with experience in orbital varix treatment. Here are some of the things that you should be looking for if you want the right orbital varix treatment.

  • You definitely need someone who is comfortable and has deep expertise in orbital varix treatment. Not only should he know about orbital varix, he should also have a wide scope of knowledge about its treatment.
  • The best person to help with orbital varix treatment is an oculoplastic surgeon. Not only will he have a very good knowledge about orbital varix treatment, he will also be able to perform orbital surgery if needed.
  • It can be safely said that in spite of the many oculoplastic surgeons you will find in your city, only a few will be really good at their jobs.
  • A great idea is to go online and learn as much as possible about orbital varix treatment. This will not only give you a good knowledge about all there is to know about orbital varix treatment, but it will also direct you towards a good oculoplastic surgeon in your city.
  • Referrals are a great way of finding good doctors and if you have someone you know who has had treatment done for this condition, then make sure to ask him who his doctor is. This will point you to a reliable doctor in your city you can depend on.

As you can well see, getting good orbital varix treatment starts with finding a good doctor. So go ahead and start doing your homework.