National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Trochleitis


Other Names:
trochleodynia
Trochleitis is the swelling of structures in the eye that help control eye movement, specifically the oblique tendon and surrounding tissues.[1][2][3] Trochleitis may be isolated (occur alone or with migraine) or develop in association with an inflammatory condition, such as lupus or arthritis.[1][4][5][2]  Signs and symptoms include aching and/or stabbing pain in the inner orbit of the eye (e.g., near the nose and inner eyebrow).[4] The pain tends to worsen when looking up and down, and when gentle pressure is applied.[3] Trochleitis usually affects a single eye, but can involve both eyes. Ultrasound imaging and noting a rapid improvement with locally injected corticosteroids aids in diagnosis.[4][2] Treatment may involve oral or locally injected corticosteroids.[3][2] Long-term outlook is good with symptoms resolving within weeks to months in most cases.[3]
Last updated: 5/28/2014

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Organizations Supporting this Disease

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Where to Start

  • The Mayo Clinic provides information on eye pain in general and may be a helpful resource.  Click on Mayo Clinic to view the information.
  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.

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  1. Gutmark R, Eliasieh K, Rivera-Michlig R. A case of bilateral trochleitis in adult-onset Still's disease. Semin Arthritis Rheum. April 2014; 43(5):689-91. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24176730. Accessed 5/28/2014.
  2. Yangüela J, Pareja JA, Lopez N, Sánchez Del Río M. Trochleitis and migraine headache. Neurology. 2002 Mar 12; 8(5):802-5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11889246. Accessed 5/28/2014.
  3. Tychsen L, Tse DT, Ossoinig K, Anderson RL. Trochleitis with superior oblique myositis. Ophthalmology. September 1984; 91(9):1075-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6387570. Accessed 5/28/2014.
  4. Fonseca P, Manno RL, Miller NR. Bilateral sequential trochleitis as the presenting feature of systemic lupus erythematosus. J Neuroophthalmol. March 2013; 33(1):74-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23114286. Accessed 5/28/2014.
  5. Zaragoza-Casares P, Gómez-Fernández T, Gómez de Liaño MA, Zaragoza-Garcia P. Bilateral idiopathic trochleitis as a cause of frontal cephalgia. Headache. March 2009; 49(3):476-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19267791. Accessed 5/28/2014.