Transconjunctival herniation of orbital fat

Abstract

The authors present 3 patients with subconjunctival fat prolapse treated at their oculoplastic unit. Albeit rare, orbital fat is a well-recognized entity, and is described in the literature as being associated with trauma and surgery. The 3 patients reported herein, however, presented with no history of trauma or surgery. This condition is produced by herniation of the intraconal fat between the conjunctiva and the sclera, presumably due to dehiscence of the Tenon's capsule. Differential diagnosis should be made with lacrimal gland ptosis, lacrimal gland tumors, and lymphoid tumors.