Orbital Floor Injuries

Orbital floor injuries refer to trauma or damage to the floor of the eye socket, which is also known as the orbit. These injuries can occur due to various reasons, including blunt force trauma, such as a direct blow to the eye or face, falls, car accidents, or sports injuries. Orbital floor injuries are relatively common and can result in significant damage to the structures surrounding the eye, including the eye itself, the muscles that control eye movement, and the nerves that supply sensation to the face and eye.

Symptoms of orbital floor injuries can vary depending on the severity of the injury but may include:

• Pain and tenderness around the eye
• Swelling and bruising (black eye)
• Double vision (diplopia)
• Restricted eye movement or difficulty moving the eye in certain directions
• Sunken appearance of the eye (enophthalmos)
• Numbness or tingling in the cheek or around the eye
• Vision changes or disturbances

In some cases, orbital floor injuries can lead to more serious complications, such as orbital blowout fractures, where a portion of the orbital floor is fractured and displaced. This can result in compression of the surrounding structures, including the muscles and nerves, and may require surgical intervention to repair the fracture and restore normal eye function.

Treatment for orbital floor injuries depends on the extent of the damage and may include:

• Observation and conservative management for minor injuries that do not involve significant displacement of the orbital floor.
• Pain management with over-the-counter or prescription medications.
• Ice packs and elevation to reduce swelling and bruising.
• Surgery to repair orbital blowout fractures or other significant damage to the orbital floor. This may involve techniques such as orbital reconstruction using implants or grafts to restore the normal anatomy of the orbit and relieve pressure on the surrounding structures.