A retrospective study of untreated orbital blow-out fractures.

A retrospective study of 27 cases of untreated orbital blow-out fractures is presented. These patients were managed non-surgically because they presented with minimal ophthalmologic symptoms, or they sustained other injuries that prevented early repair. Twelve patients returned for follow-up examination and eight were contacted by telephone. In evaluating patients for diplopia, enophthalmos, hypesthesia, and restricted ocular movement, 85% showed complete resolution of symptoms. Based on these findings, surgical intervention is recommended only in those patients who demonstrate residual diplopia in primary gaze and restricted ocular motility that persist after 10 to 14 days, the presence of enophthalmos greater than 2 mm, and gross disruption of the orbital floor as confirmed by CT or tomography.