Orbital Wall Fractures and Ocular Injury: Impact on Management.

Background

Orbital wall fractures are often associated with concomitant ocular injury. In some cases, detection and treatment of such injuries requires ophthalmology evaluation. Study

Objective

To identify a change in ocular management as a result of ophthalmology evaluation in patients with orbital wall fractures. Materials and

Methods

Retrospective cohort, patients >18 years of age with orbital wall fracture, and prompt evaluation by an ophthalmologist from 2012 to 2020 in a tertiary Level 1 trauma center.

Results

Fifty percent of patients had a moderate and/or severe ocular injury. Ophthalmology evaluation led to an ocular management change in 27% of patients. Patients with eyelid laceration, extra-ocular motion (EOM) abnormality, and pupillary defect were more likely to have a change in management. There was no delay of surgical bony fracture management.

Conclusion

In patients with midface trauma including orbital wall fractures those with eyelid laceration, EOM abnormality, and pupillary defect were likely to undergo ocular management change as a result of ophthalmology consultation.