 The
orbit, or eye socket, is a compartment in the skull that is
responsible for protecting the eye. It is a small, compact space
with many delicate structures that help the eye and lids function
properly. Unfortunately, just like ever other part of the body,
the orbit is subject to disease, infection and injury. Tricounty
Eye’s Scott
M. Goldstein, MD is the only ophthalmologist in the greater
Philadelphia and Bucks county area on the ophthalmic plastic
surgery staff of Wills Eye Hospital and The Children’s
Hospital of Philadelphia. He regularly evaluates and treats
orbital problems in both children and adults.
Orbital infections, or Orbital cellulitis, are an aggressive
sight, and even life, threatening process. Usually arising
secondarily from an adjacent sinus infection, this situation
must be treated swiftly and aggressively with antibiotics
and often surgery.
Thyroid related eye disease is the most common cause of prominent
eyes in adults. Often associated with Graves disease, an autoimmune
condition inducing an overactive thyroid, can lead to swelling
of the structures in the eye socket. This in turn can cause
dry eyes from poor closure, double vision from scarring in
the eye muscles and most worrisome, loss of vision from pressure
on the optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain. Sometimes
steroids, radiation treatments or surgery is required to treat
the variety of issues that arise in this condition.
In our active society, injuries to the eyes and eye socket
are unfortunately common place. Eyelid laceration, tear drain
injuries, bleeding within and bruising around the eye, and
fractures of the bones of the eye socket can all occur. These
injuries often occur from sporting activities like baseball,
soccer or football. In addition car accidents and fist fights
are other common causes.
In both children and adults, a variety of tumors can occur
in the eye socket. Some grow slowly, and go unnoticed while
others can grow rapidly, impairing vision and causing even
greater problems. CT scans and MRI’s are the best method
for detecting and differentiating these lesions prior to having
surgery.
Finally diseased eyes can often become blind, painful and
disfiguring. Dr Goldstein specializes in the removal of eyes
(enucleation) that can not be salvaged as well as reconstruction
of the eye socket to prepare it for a prosthetic eye. Further,
eye socket that have already had the eye removed may also
experience problems and need regular examinations.
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