Orbital lymphangioma
Overview
A tumor that develops from lymph vessels around the eye.
Symptoms
* Asymptomatic * Eye pain * Blurry vision * Double vision * Red eye
Diagnosis
Lymphangioma is usually diagnosed by an eye cancer specialist. A careful history may reveal sudden painful proptosis (bulging of the eye), facial trauma or that the tumor or proptosis started right after a upper respiratory infection. Physical examination may reveal bluish discoloration of or blood vessels within the eyelid skin. Should the vessels extend under the conjunctiva, they are called lymphangiectasias
Treatment
Though lymphangioma patients can present with a history of sudden proptosis (due to bleeding within the tumor), orbital lymphangioma is typically a slow growing tumor. Therefore, most lymphangiomas are followed by observation for growth (clinical and radiographic studies) prior to considering intervention. Treatment of lymphangioma is typically indicated when it is associated with growth, optic nerve compression, corneal exposure problems (keratitis sicca), glaucoma or evidence of vision loss.