
Around six months back, a young man, Praveen, aged 25, stepped into our reception with mild pain in his left eye. There was blood in the clear part of his eye, and the lower eyelid was slightly swollen. Around his eye, blackish bruising was seen. He felt uneasy waiting and urged our staff to take him to the doctor. Quickly, he was brought before our maxillofacial surgeon. After a talk and a few minutes of check-up, it was found that he was accidentally hit by someone in a violent crowd, though fortunately, no fracture occurred to the rim of his eye.
What Is an Orbital Fracture?
Every eye of us is guarded safely by surrounding bones called the orbit or eye socket. When a fracture occurs to this orbit due to an accident or a punch by a person or any forced hit from anything (blunt force of injury), is an orbital fracture
What are the orbital fracture types?
If the orbital rim is broken, it is called an ‘orbital rim fracture.’ Most of the orbital fractures can have other facial injuries. ‘Blowout fracture’ is a fracture in the floor or inner wall of the orbit, causing damage to the supporting tissues and other structures around the eye due to a hit from anything. When the eye socket floor is pushed downward due to trauma or low pressure and causes muscle and nerve damage, it is called an ‘orbital floor fracture.’
Diagnosis and Treatment
Usually, an X-ray and CT scan imaging will reveal the clear depth of the fracture. The normal movement of the eye and the normal vision are also checked.
If the orbital fracture is severe, the patient may suffer from double vision, and a need for oculoplastic surgery arises. In some cases, the surgeon may postpone the surgery for a week to see if any natural healing is noticed in-between to avoid surgery. If the orbital fracture is small, in most cases, surgeons may let it heal itself over time after applying an ice pack over the swelling, and medication to continue for a period will be advised.
In our case, since patient Praveen’s orbital fracture is found not severe, some emergency care and medication advice were given. The prescription included antibiotics and a decongestant. He attained complete normalcy after ten days.
Jerush Dental and Facial Corrective Centre is one of the leading facial hospitals in South India with state-of-the-art facilities. We have a team of eminent surgeons to take care of patients with any sort of dental ailments, facial deformities, and people opting for aesthetic dental treatments and facial aesthetic surgeries. Located at Thuckalay, near Nagercoil and Mathandam, Tamil Nadu, from 2002 onwards, ‘Jerush’ is on the go with a simple, solid vision: providing the best possible health care to everyone approaching our service.
FAQ
Q1. What is the protocol for orbital fractures?
The standard protocol for treating an orbital fracture involves a detailed clinical examination followed by a CT scan of the orbit to assess the extent of the damage
Q2. How much pain does an orbital fracture cause?
It can be very painful to have an orbital fracture, especially during the first 24 to 48 hours. Usually located around the forehead, cheek, or eye socket, pain can get worse with facial pressure or eye movement. Additionally, some patients have headaches, bruising, and swelling. From the first diagnosis to the healing process, Jerush ensures patient comfort by managing pain with anti-inflammatory drugs and cold compress therapy.
Q3. Who treats orbital fractures?
Orbital fractures are typically treated by specialists in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Oculoplastic Surgery, ENT, or Plastic Surgery (in complex cases)
At Jerush Dentofacial & Cosmetic Laser Centre, our team is led by Dr. Bladbin, an expert in facial trauma and oral-maxillofacial surgery, who has successfully managed hundreds of orbital injury cases in Chennai, Trichy, and Kanyakumari.
Q4. Does an orbital fracture need surgery?
Surgery is not always necessary for orbital fractures. With monitoring and symptomatic treatment, minor or non-displaced fractures can mend themselves.
Q5. Is it safe to have orbital surgery?
Yes, when carried out by a skilled and knowledgeable oral and maxillofacial surgeon, orbital surgery is usually safe. Depending on the situation, all operations at Jerush Clinics are performed under local or general anesthesia in a sterile, cutting-edge surgical environment. There are very few post-operative risks, and patients are regularly checked for visual problems, infection, or swelling.