my daughter had an injury to her eye and had surgery 9 days ago, lower orbital fracture and entrapped muscle. The fracture was repaired and the muscle released. The surgery was 7 hours after the incident. She has no exterior symptoms, headaches or bruising now. However, she can't move that eye all the way up or down still and has double vision when she does that with both eyes. Is it normal to still have loss of movement after surgery? Could the muscle have died or other concern?
May 23, 2011
Answer: Blow-out fracture strabismus
Dr. Crosby's note is correct. You should ask the managing ophthalmologist whether adding steroids might be helpful to reduce swelling associated with the original trauma and the subsequent surgery. This might shorten the healing time. Occasionally, the surgeon may place a "plate" over the fracture site. While this is often necessary if the fracture is sufficiently large, there may be additional resultant swelling, scarring, and restricted eye movement.
Ask your managing ophthalmologist to refer your daughter to a strabismus (eye misalignment) specialist. Pediatric ophthalmologists are particularly experienced in managing persistent diplopia (double vision), sometimes with prism glasses, sometimes with additional (eye muscle) surgery.
Good luck!
Helpful
May 23, 2011
Answer: Blow-out fracture strabismus
Dr. Crosby's note is correct. You should ask the managing ophthalmologist whether adding steroids might be helpful to reduce swelling associated with the original trauma and the subsequent surgery. This might shorten the healing time. Occasionally, the surgeon may place a "plate" over the fracture site. While this is often necessary if the fracture is sufficiently large, there may be additional resultant swelling, scarring, and restricted eye movement.
Ask your managing ophthalmologist to refer your daughter to a strabismus (eye misalignment) specialist. Pediatric ophthalmologists are particularly experienced in managing persistent diplopia (double vision), sometimes with prism glasses, sometimes with additional (eye muscle) surgery.
Good luck!
Helpful
May 19, 2011
Answer: Double Vision after Orbital Fracture A fracture of the bones around the eye can cause double vision for two reasons:
1. Entrapment of the muscle within the broken bone fragments.
2. Swelling of the muscle, fat and connective tissue within the orbit due to bleeding or inflammation.
If a muscle is entrapped, surgery is indicated to release the muscle as was done with your daughter. However, the residual swelling within the orbit or possibly a residual blood clot within the previously trapped muscle may be limiting her eye movements and causing double vision. It can take approximately 6 weeks to 3 months in some cases for all of the swelling to resolve, so patience is necessary.
However, if the vision in this eye alone is worsening or the double vision is worsening you need to return to your surgeon immediately to ensure to no additional bleeding occurred.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
May 19, 2011
Answer: Double Vision after Orbital Fracture A fracture of the bones around the eye can cause double vision for two reasons:
1. Entrapment of the muscle within the broken bone fragments.
2. Swelling of the muscle, fat and connective tissue within the orbit due to bleeding or inflammation.
If a muscle is entrapped, surgery is indicated to release the muscle as was done with your daughter. However, the residual swelling within the orbit or possibly a residual blood clot within the previously trapped muscle may be limiting her eye movements and causing double vision. It can take approximately 6 weeks to 3 months in some cases for all of the swelling to resolve, so patience is necessary.
However, if the vision in this eye alone is worsening or the double vision is worsening you need to return to your surgeon immediately to ensure to no additional bleeding occurred.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful