Anterior limbal approach in the treatment of a late and extensive post-traumatic retrobulbar abscess.

The authors report a case of acute development of an extensive retrobulbar abscess 3 weeks after an orbital floor fracture. Urgent drainage of the abscess was performed by an anterior transconjunctival approach. A dramatic recovery was observed a few days following the operation. The visual acuity increased from hand motions to 0.7 to 0.8 in the early postoperative period and to 1.0 shortly thereafter. The severity of infection, the importance of antibiotic prophylaxis for blowout fractures, and the efficacy of the transconjunctival approach on the final visual and functional outcome are described.