I have sunken and hollow eye (left) after my ORIF of Zygomatic bone fracture. Is this normal and what should be done to fix it?

Question

It's been almost 5 months post-surgery. The doctor who did the operation said everything is normal, its just the scar from the incision on the lower eyelid and black marks around the eye that makes it look hollow. I ask this question because I need a second opinion about this case. The appearance of my eye bothers me. Thank you for your response!

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

Best to post photos for more accurate response. Sometimes, the orbital floor or medial wall needs to be repaired too in additional to the outside bony rim (zygomatic fracture) if they are also involved. Also need orbital CT scan to better tell you where you stand. It is definitely possible to have additional orbital surgery. In fact, I just performed similar surgery on a patient who had tripod fracture surgery without orbital floor surgery who ended up needing orbital floor implant.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Unfortunately without a photograph, it is hard to be more specific.  Options vary from rebreaking the bones and repositioning the bone segments to soft tissue options.  So much depends on precisely what is going on. For many a custom orbital rim implant is highly effective at helping improve orbital rim projection.  Orbital hollowness sometimes arises form an underlying orbital fracture that was not fully controlled at the initial repair.  Consider posting your photographs for more specific feedback.

Travis T. Tollefson, MD, MPH · Answer

Dear John sorry to hear about your fracture, your best option for a second opinion would be to have your primary care order a fine cut CT face so that you can bring that with youIf the orbital floor was involved in your fracture, additional procedures may be necessary even if your surgery was successfulthe other responses are correct in that you can have orbital measurements completed. lastly, schedule an ophthalmologist appointment to make sure that your eye is functioning well Best Wishes

Michael Sundine, MD, FACS · Answer

It is not normal to have a hollow eye following treatment of a zygoma fracture.  You probably have enophthalmos (essentially sinking in of the eye) because the volume of the eye socket is enlarged.  A simple measurement (enophthalmometer) can measure if the eye if it is sunken in.  If there is enophthalmos you will likely require a repeat CT scan to visualize the anatomy and configuration of the eye socket.

Matheson A. Harris, MD · Answer

Without photos it's hard to say, but you would need to see an orbital surgeon (oculoplastic surgeon) and have an evaluation. He/she can perform measurements to compare the eyes and see if the eye in question is actually sunken in or appears sunken because of scarring or drooping of the eyelids. If it is sunken, there often are ways to fix it, such as inserting a plate or wedge in the orbit to push the eye back into a normal position.

I have sunken and hollow eye (left) after my ORIF of Zygomatic bone fracture. Is this normal and what should be done to fix it?

Answers (5)

Answer: Hollow Eye after Zygoma Fracture

Answer: Hollow Eye after Zygoma Fracture

Answer: Sunken eye after cheek bone fracture surgery

Answer: Sunken eye after cheek bone fracture surgery

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I have sunken and hollow eye (left) after my ORIF of Zygomatic bone fracture. Is this normal and what should be done to fix it?

Answers (5)

Answer: Hollow Eye after Zygoma Fracture

Answer: Hollow Eye after Zygoma Fracture

Answer: Sunken eye after cheek bone fracture surgery

Answer: Sunken eye after cheek bone fracture surgery

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.