Bilateral orbital emphysema from compressed air injury.

PURPOSE: To describe a patient who developed bilateral subconjunctival and orbital emphysema after an automobile tire explosion.

METHOD: Case report.

RESULTS

A 60-year-old man sustained bilateral ocular injury after a tire explosion. Ophthalmic examination disclosed bilateral subconjunctival air, with no visible conjunctival laceration. Computed tomography showed orbital emphysema, with no evidence of orbital fracture. Follow-up examination 2 weeks after the injury disclosed resolution of the subconjunctival air. Best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye was decreased after the explosion but improved to the baseline level of 20/40 2 weeks after the injury.

CONCLUSION

Subconjunctival and orbital emphysema can occur from high-pressure air injury in the absence of an obvious entry site.