Orbit (Orbital) Fractures – A Primer for Patients
Fractures of the bony orbit (the eye socket) are typically caused by a blow to the eye. Common mechanisms of injury include assault, motor vehicle accidents, falls, and sports injuries. Orbital fractures are often isolated (confined to the socket alone), with bone fragments displaced into the surrounding sinuses. In such situations, they are often referred to as “blowout” fractures. In other cases, they can be associated with fractures of other parts of the face, such as the nose, the cheekbone, or the maxilla (upper jaw). When these so-called facial “buttresses” are fractured, it is often necessary to repair them before or at the same time as fracture repair inside the orbit. The risks associated with orbital fractures include double vision (diplopia), sunken eye (enophthalmos), and rarely orbital infection.
Tearing or Epiphora
By Alon Kahana, MD, PhD (University of Michigan) Excessive tearing, also known as “epiphora,” is a very common condition that can truly affect patients adversely. While tearing might seem fairly trivial, tears welling up on your eyes can blur vision,...Orbital Cellulitis – Treatment
Orbital abscesses can be very dangerous. Because the orbit is a small enclosed compartment, the abscess can increase pressure on the orbital tissues and cause damage to the eye and/or optic nerve – causing blindness! Also, because the orbit is so close to the brain, with direct conduits through bone into the brain cavity (cranium), orbital cellulitis and abscesses can spread and affect the brain. Therefore, treatment of orbital cellulitis is considered an emergency.