Orbital Trauma: Causes and Treatment

The bony area around your eye is called the orbital bone. Orbital trauma occurs when you fracture one of these bones and can affect eye function in some cases. Surgery can restore function and the appearance of your eye after suffering orbital trauma.

What Are the Symptoms of Orbital Trauma?

If you suspect orbital trauma, seek medical attention as quickly as possible. By seeking timely treatment, you could minimize complications. Some of the most common symptoms of orbital trauma include:

• Swelling around the eye, on the forehead, and/or on the cheek
• Pain
• Bruising (black and blue)
• Bleeding in the white of your eye
• Difficulty moving the eye in any direction
• Double vision
• Numbness, usually in the upper part of your face, but it could extend to your mouth
• A sunken or bulging appearance to the eye

Causes of Orbital Trauma

Orbital trauma can happen in many situations, including:

• Car accidents
• Falling from a large height
• Sports-related injuries from high-impact sports such as football
• Physical altercations that result in direct blows to your face
• Falling objects
• Running into walls, machinery, and other stationary objects

Wearing personal protective equipment when working in dangerous situations, such as on construction sites or in forestry occupations, can help prevent workplace injuries to your eyes.

Types of Orbital Fractures

The two types of orbital fractures are the orbital rim fracture and the blowout fracture. The orbital rim fracture is when the break is in the bony outer edges of your eye socket. The bones in this area are thick, so it takes a lot of force to break them.

A blowout fracture occurs in the inner wall or floor of your eye socket. These bones are thin. Cracks in these bones could pinch muscles and other eye structures, keeping your eye from moving properly. Common causes of blowout fractures are punches and getting hit in the eye with a baseball.

Where To Find Treatment for Orbital Trauma in St. Louis, MO

To learn more about orbital trauma, speak with a doctor at Ophthalmic Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery, Inc. Schedule a consultation at 314-567-3567. Ophthalmic Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery, Inc., serves St. Louis, St. Peters, Arnold, and the surrounding areas in Missouri.