Trauma to the eyelids and bony orbits often require surgical repair by an oculoplastic specialist for an optimal functional and aesthetic result.
What is an orbital fracture?
Orbital trauma often results from car accidents, a fall, a fight or sports injuries where there is a direct impact to the eye or orbital bones. The most common type of orbital fractures around the eye is a blowout or orbital floor fracture, which results from direct impact, causing the floor of the orbit to collapse. This may cause double vision, inability to look up or down and a sunken appearance of the eye over time. Restoring the bony orbit around the eyes is essential for eye positioning and vision. For facial fractures, patients usually undergo a CT scan to evaluate the bony structures and typically an orbital or facial implant, and plating is performed often in the same day procedure.
What can happen with orbital trauma in children?
Children often present after injury with a normal appearing eye after orbital trauma but can demonstrate nausea, inactive behavior, or are unable to look up. This can be a concern for a green-stick fracture whereby an eyelid muscle is entrapped in the fracture site and requires immediate repair. Dr. Amato has experience in reconstruction of complex orbitofacial trauma and fractures.
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What about eyelid injuries?
Scar tissue can result from injury or surgery, which may be unsightly or deforming to the eyelid. Scarring can cause poor function and closure of the eyelid, notching of the eyelid margin, drooping eyelids, misdirected lashes, and ultimately irritation to the eye or affect vision. Repair of facial injuries or eyelid lacerations is essential to avoid unnecessary problems with healing and the best cosmetic result. It is necessary to have an eyelid specialist evaluate, and property repair the many intricate layers and structures of the eyelid for the best cosmetic and functional result. Tear duct injuries can commonly result with lower eyelid lacerations, in which a specialist should reconstruct the duct for proper function of the tear drain to avoid tearing. Scar revision can be addressed surgically to improve these problems. Dr. Amato has repaired hundreds of patients of all ages with orbital-facial traumas for the past 18 years.