Search results
Jun 25, 2024 · Orbital rim fracture – This is a fracture of the bones forming the outer rim of the bony orbit. It usually occurs at the sutures joining the three bones of the orbital rim – the maxilla, zygomatic and frontal. ‘Blowout’ fracture – This refers to partial herniation of the orbital contents through one of its walls.
- (108)
- Overview
- Types of fractures
- Symptoms of an eye socket fracture
- Diagnosing the fracture
- Treating the fracture
- Recovery timeline
- What’s the outlook?
- Can this be prevented?
Overview
The eye socket, or orbit, is the bony cup surrounding your eye. Seven different bones make up the socket.
The eye socket contains your eyeball and all the muscles that move it. Also inside the socket are your tear glands, cranial nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and other nerves.
The eye socket is divided into four parts. Each is formed by separate bones. You can have a fracture in one or all of these parts of the eye socket:
•The inferior wall, or orbital floor, is formed by the upper jawbone (maxilla), part of the cheek bone (zygomatic), and a small part of the hard palate (palatine bone). Fractures to the inferior floor most commonly come from a blow to the side of the face. This could be from a fist, a blunt object, or a car accident.
•The zygomatic bone also forms the temporal, or outer, side wall of the eye socket. Many important nerves run through this area. They can be damaged by a blow to the cheek or side of the face.
Orbital rim fractures
These occur when the eye socket is struck violently with a hard object, such as a steering wheel in a car accident. A piece of bone may break off and be pushed in the direction of the blow. The damage is usually in more than one area of the eye socket. A common type of orbital rim fracture involves all three major parts of the eye socket. It’s called a tripod fracture, or a zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fracture.
Blowout fractures (or comminuted orbital wall fractures)
This type of fracture commonly happens when you’re struck by something larger than the eye socket, such as a fist or blunt object. It can result in multiple pieces, or comminuted, bone. The blowout happens when a punch or other blow to the eye causes a pressure buildup in the fluid of the eye. This pressure is transmitted to the eye socket, causing it to fracture outward. Or, the wall may buckle inward from force on the rim.
Trapdoor fractures
These are most common in children, since they have more flexible bones than adults. Instead of shattering, the bone of the eye socket flexes outward, and then immediately returns back to position. Thus, the name “trapdoor.” Although the bones aren’t broken, the trapdoor fracture is still a serious injury. It can lead to permanent nerve damage.
Symptoms of eye socket fracture include:
•double vision or reduced vision
•swelling of the eyelid
•pain, bruising, tearing, or bleeding around the eye
•nausea and vomiting (most common in trapdoor fractures)
•sunken or bulging eye, or droopy eyelid
Your doctor will examine the damaged eye area and your vision. They’ll also check your eye pressure. Continued elevated eye pressure can lead to damage of the optic nerve and blindness.
Your doctor may order X-rays to help detect fractures of the bones of the eye socket. A CT scan may also be used to provide more details of the injury.
Eye socket fractures don’t always require surgery. Your doctor will determine if your fracture can heal on its own.
You may be advised to avoid blowing your nose for several weeks after the injury. This is to prevent infection spreading from the sinuses to eye socket tissue though a small space in a fractured bone.
If you have surgery, you may be given the option of an overnight stay in the hospital or surgical facility. Once home, you’ll need assistance for at least two to four days.
Your doctor will likely prescribe oral antibiotics, corticosteroids like prednisone, and pain killers, usually for a week. The surgeon will likely advise you to use ice packs on the area for a week. You’ll need to rest, avoid blowing your nose, and avoid strenuous activity for at least two to three weeks after surgery.
Although eye socket fractures can be dangerous, most people recover well.
If you went into the surgery with double vision, it may last as long as two to four months after surgery. If it doesn’t go away after four to six months, you may need eye muscle surgery or special corrective glasses.
Wearing protective eyewear when working or while engaging in sports can help prevent many eye socket fractures.
Goggles, transparent face shields, and face masks may be appropriate, depending on the type of activity.
- Marjorie Hecht
This fracture is a break along the floor or thin inner wall of your eye socket. Getting hit in the eye with something like a fist or a baseball most often causes blowout fractures. Orbital rim fracture:An orbital rim fracture affects the bony outer edges of your eye socket. This area is made up of very thick bone, so it takes a lot of force to ...
Oct 20, 2021 · Orbital fractures are traumatic injuries usually caused by assault, sports, or accidents. A careful assessment of the orbit injury may include examination of the facial bones, eyelids, and surrounding soft tissue; inspection of the globe; and visual acuity. A definitive diagnosis is confirmed by computed tomography scan of the orbit.
The ‘orbit’ refers to the group of bones that surround the eyeball, making up the eye socket. This is formed by seven different bones that fuse together to form a solid ’cup’ within the skull. An orbital fracture is a break in one of the bones, most commonly, the one beneath the eye, called the orbital floor.
Feb 20, 2024 · The orbital bones join to form the orbit or socket of the eye, where the eyeball rests. The orbital structure provides pathways for the eye to connect with the nerves, lacrimal apparatus, adipose tissues, blood vessels, and extraocular muscles. This enables the eye to move and function properly. 1 It also protects the eye from injury in case of ...
People also ask
What is an orbital fracture?
Can a severe orbital fracture cause vision problems?
What happens if you have an orbital rim fracture?
What are the symptoms of an orbital fracture?
What are the complications of a orbital fracture?
What is a bony orbit?
Sep 28, 2017 · An orbital fracture is when there is a break in one of the bones surrounding the eyeball (called the orbit, or eye socket). Usually this kind of injury is caused by blunt force trauma, when something hits the eye very hard. Orbital Fracture Types. Any of the bones surrounding the eye can be fractured, or broken. Here are types of orbital fractures:
