Nonneoplastic Masquerade Syndromes

Any process that can mimic noninfectious ocular inflammation or result in inflammation but require treatment of the underlying condition for resolution can be considered a masquerade syndrome. From an etiologic standpoint, it is worthwhile dividing these into entities associated with systemic illnesses, arising from iatrogenic causes (trauma, surgery, or drugs; see also Chap. 10), resulting from physiological ocular processes (vitreous or retinal detachment), or mimicking degeneration (retinitis pigmentosa or paraneoplastic syndromes; see Chap. 9.1.6). A correct diagnosis will allow an appropriate therapeutic plan.