Ophthalmic Complications of Dermatomyositis

Abstract

The heliotrope eyelid eruption is considered as a hallmark of DM. The associated periorbital redness and edema, producing ptosis, chemosis, and exophthalmos may initially be mistaken for infective orbital cellulitis. Ocular muscles in DM remain normal, even in advanced, untreated cases. If the ocular muscles are affected, the diagnosis of inflammatory myopathy should be in doubt [1], and the diagnosis of orbital myositis should be discussed [2]. Involvement of the extraocular muscles is extremely rare, and can cause pain and ophthalmoplegia [3]. Ptosis of the eyelids, diplopia, and strabismus due to extraocular muscle involvement can be observed in some DM patients [4].