What causes a mass behind the eye?

The eye orbit contains eye socket bones, eyeball, eye socket muscles, optic nerve, and fatty tissue. Inflammation, tumors or lesions may occur in any of these structures. This could result in a bulging eye, double vision, or vision loss.

Experienced oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Jennifer Hui provides eyelid surgery and other eye care procedures to patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Coachella Valley, Riverside, Redlands, Yucaipa, Loma Linda, and other suburbs and neighborhoods in this part of the state.

Cystic Orbital Lesions

Cystic orbital lesions may lead to the formation of a mass behind the eye.

Orbital dermoid cyst

Dermoid cysts are slow-growing cysts which usually occur on the bony rim of the orbit. A firm nodule formation may develop because of the cyst. The cause could be rupturing of the surrounding skin, which causes inflammation. The cysts may also occur by birth, and are commonly seen in kids.

Orbital teratoma

Orbital teratomas are usually caused by birth and are mostly benign. They contain various types of tissues from the body system.

Orbital mucocele

A mucocele is a cyst that develops from the nasal sinus lining. The cyst can grow into the orbit, resulting in displacement of the eye. Other symptoms may include double vision or loss of vision.

Vascular Orbital Lesions

Vascular orbital lesions may also result in the formation of a mass behind the eye.

Orbital capillary hemangioma

This lesion in the orbit commonly affects children. Depending on the lesion depth, it may show as a raised red (or blue) lesion on the eyelid. The lesion may cause the eyelid to droop, restricting the use of the eye.

Orbital cavernous hemangioma

This slow-growing tumor is made of blood vessels. Often found in middle-aged patients, it may be detected incidentally during a CT scan or MRI procedure.

Orbital hemangiopericytoma

This is a rare connective tissue tumor, which could be located behind the eye, within the eyelid, or in the tear sac. It is usually a slow-growing tumor, which can increase orbital pressure, or build a mass in the corner of the eye near the nose.

Orbital lymphangioma

This benign lesion is a fluid-filled cyst that could occur by birth, but may not show symptoms until much later. The tumor may develop on the surface of the eye and in the orbit.

Orbital Connective Tissue Tumor

Orbital nodular fibroma and fasciitis

This overgrowth of connective tissue may cause a mass in the eyelid, in the eye socket or in the orbit. The mass may be removed surgically to confirm the diagnosis.

Orbital solitary fibrous tumor

This connective tissue tumor could be located in the orbit. The tumor may cause eye’s forward displacement of the eye or swelling of the eyelid.

Orbital fibrosarcoma

This rare connective tissue tumor is usually located in the orbit. Symptoms include forward eye displacement, double vision, or swelling and drooping of the eyelid.