INTRODUCTION: Nontraumatic orbital diseases only exceptionally require emergency treatment. In this paper an emergency is considered when the diagnosis and/or treatment must be done within a maximal period of 1 week. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with nontraumatic orbital diseases from the Department of Ophthalmology of the University of Lausanne and from the office of one of the authors (N.D.) over the last 35 years were studied, in view of their degree of emergency. Data from 77 patients (28 females and 49 males), aged from birth to 85 years, were collected. RESULTS: Idiopathic inflammations of the orbit (pseudotumors) were the most frequent diagnoses seen as an emergency, followed by rhinological diseases with orbital consequences (exteriorized sinusitis or mucoceles), dysthyroid orbital pathologies, bleeding in lymphangiomas and varices, rhabdomyosarcoma, and acute dacryoadenitis. Fast progressive proptosis, oculomotor disorders, and pain are the most frequent alarm signals. After the diagnostic procedure, a surgical or medical treatment is frequently proposed. CONCLUSION: Although rare, emergencies in orbital diseases are a challenge for the general ophthalmologist. The morbidity and sometimes the mortality due to these diseases are often reduced by proper management. Patients generally have to be referred to a specialized unit.