An orbital fracture is a medical condition where one of the bones that surround the eye sockets becomes damaged and is broken. Blows or impacts to the face often cause this condition. Orbital fractures can vary considerably in terms of intensity and effects. How serious is an orbital fracture? Quite serious indeed, and as with any broken bone, it must be treated immediately to avoid incurring some of the more serious side effects and damages that can occur. If you are worried that you may have an orbital fracture, take a look at this guide, which can help you understand the condition and determine if you should seek out the services of an eyelid surgeon.
What Is an Orbital Fracture?
An orbital fracture is a break in one or more of the bones surrounding your eyeballs. These breaks can be problematic medically, as along with the eyes, the eye sockets contain a plethora of blood vessels, nerves, and other structures.
How Serious Is an Orbital Fracture?
An orbital fracture is a very serious condition that can lead to severe health consequences if left untreated. Some of the consequences of failing to address an orbital fracture include:
- Permanent damage to the eyes
- Brain damage
- Inability to perform daily activities
- Severe pain
- Infection
Depending on the severity of the fracture, some patients might even risk death if they fail to treat their orbital fractures.
Types of Orbital Fractures
There are several different types of orbital fractures, all of which have their own set of specific qualities. Learning about the different types of fractures that can occur can help you identify which one you might be dealing with:
- Orbital Rim Fracture: An orbital rim fracture is a fracture that occurs on the bony outer edges of the eye socket. This area is composed of very thick bone, so most fractures that occur here are due to high amounts of impact trauma.
- Orbital Floor Fracture: An orbital floor fracture is a type of fracture where the bones of the eye socket are pushed back, which in turn causes your orbital floor bones to buckle. This can impact the nerves and muscles surrounding the eye, preventing it from accessing its full range of movement.
- Blowout Fracture: A blowout fracture is the most common type of orbital fracture and occurs when there is a break along the floor or thin inner wall of your eye socket. Impacts on the bones in this area of the body are the most common source of this type of orbital fracture.
Symptoms of Orbital Fractures
Several symptoms can help you identify whether you are dealing with an orbital fracture. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Swelling beneath the eye
- Blood in the whites of your eyes
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Decreased vision
- Bruising
- Numbness
- Trouble moving the eyes
- Sunken eyeballs
To diagnose whether what you are experiencing is an orbital fracture, an eye doctor specialist will examine your eye and the surrounding area. They will check to see if your eye is moving normally and whether any vision issues are present. Your doctor may order X-rays and CT scans to confirm the presence and exact nature of a fracture.
How Do You Treat an Orbital Fracture?
The exact course of treatment for an orbital fracture will depend on the exact type of orbital fracture incurred, as well as the severity of the injury. In the case of a mild orbital fracture, your doctor may only advise you to apply an ice pack or receive some rest to recover from your injury.
In the case of a more serious orbital fracture, you may require a combination of surgery and medication. If surgery is required, you may be referred to an oculoplastic surgeon, who is trained to deal with eye injuries.
Should you receive surgery, your oculoplastic surgeon will give you a set of instructions for your recovery period. They may also prescribe antibiotics or other medication to expedite your recovery. Following your surgeon’s instructions in this regard can help you ensure that your recovery period is successful. It will also help you avoid accidental injury in the process.
The Best in the Business
Eye Plastics Minnesota is completely in tune with the needs of the greater community and prides itself on offering the best in oculofacial plastic surgery. If you have questions about orbital fracture treatment or anything else, contact us to discuss your options for orbital fracture surgery.