Evaluation of ophthalmic and orbital injuries in midface trauma: A prospective study

Background: All trauma to the face particularly above the level of mouth, require a careful clinical examination to assess ophthalmic and orbital injuries. Inappropriate diagnosis and inadequate care for these injuries can result in blindness, with social and medico legal implications.Materials and Methods: 401 patients with mid face fractures were assessed in our study. Clinical examination and various test was used for the assessment of injuries and the patients classified as those with mild, moderate and severe ophthalmic injuries. Orbital injuries was assessed clinically and radiographically using PNS view and CT scan.Results: The results showed that zygomatic complex fractures was mostly related with ophthalmic and orbital injuries. The most frequent mild ophthalmic injury was periorbital edema (99.8%). The main moderate ophthalmic injury was infraorbital dysesthesia (95%). Diplopia (15.7%) and hypoglobus (12.7%) was the most common severe ophthalmic injuries. Orbital injuries was commonly seen in zygomatic complex fractures, mostly involving lateral wall of orbit and infraorbital rim.Conclusion: Prevalance of ophthalmic and orbital injuries in mid face fractures is considered in the study and necessity of surgical intervention required in the correction of these injuries were assessed.