General
An orbital floor fracture, also called “blow-out fracture”, is a fracture of the bone in which the eyeball (bulb) is located. It breaks at its weakest point, which is located on the floor, when external force is applied. Typically, such a fracture is caused by a fist blow or the impact of a hard ball, such as a golf ball or tennis ball.
Individually, different symptoms may occur, some of which are typical of an orbital floor fracture and therefore almost always occur. Especially a blue eye due to hematoma formation, as well as a receding eyeball (enophthalmos) and visual disturbances are typical symptoms of an orbital floor fracture. Surgical treatment of the fracture can improve the symptoms and a complete healing of the damaged structures is aimed for.
Depending on individual symptoms and damaged structures, the course of the disease can vary. A quick therapy of the fracture has a positive influence on the course of the disease. Individually, different symptoms can occur, some of which are typical for a fracture of the orbital floor and therefore almost always occur.
Especially a blue eye due to hematoma formation, as well as a receding eyeball (enophthalmos) and visual disturbances are typical symptoms of an orbital floor fracture. Surgical treatment of the fracture can improve the symptoms and a complete healing of the damaged structures is aimed for. Depending on individual symptoms and damaged structures, the course of the disease can vary. A quick therapy of the fracture has a positive influence on the course of the disease.
Symptoms
The individual symptoms of an orbital floor fracture depend on the damaged structures that inevitably occur when force is applied to the orbit. A typical symptom is a receding eyeball, which in medicine is called enophthalmos. Since more space is created in the orbit after a fracture of the orbital floor, the eye falls back a little and causes this symptom.
Bleeding, which occurs as a result of the application of force, usually causes the so-called monocular hematoma, which has this name because of its typical shape and localization. If nerves in the orbital region are damaged, this is usually accompanied by loss of vision. Also a movement restriction of the eye is typical due to the impairment of the muscles which are actually responsible for the movement. When nerves that supply the sensitivity of the face are damaged, there is a loss of sensation in the affected region. The cheek in particular is often affected by this loss of sensitivity.
