Management of persistent diplopia after surgical repair of orbital fractures.

PURPOSE: To present the results of management of patients with persistent diplopia after orbital reconstructive surgery with respect to the type of ocular motility impairment pattern.

METHODS

All patients referred during a 2-year period because of persistent diplopia after surgical repair of orbital fracture were categorized according to the degree and pattern of ocular motility impairment on the basis of orthoptic examination 3-4 weeks postoperatively. Patients were followed for a mean period of 10.5 months (range, 6-12 months), during which adequate treatment was implemented.

RESULTS

A total of 52 patients were included in the study (45 males; mean age, 41.8 ± 16.6 years). Most could be divided into 1 of 4 groups according to the type of ocular motility impairment. The follow-up orthoptic examination revealed resolution of diplopia in 9 patients (15%) and persistent but unbothersome diplopia in 26 (43.4%). Significant diplopia was treated conservatively in 3 patients (5%) and with strabismus surgery in 14 (23.3%) cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that in most cases of persistent diplopia after reconstructive surgery for orbital fractures, symptoms resolve over time without treatment; nevertheless, strabismus surgery is unavoidable in some cases.