Orbital Trauma Repair
A blow to the eye can fracture the thin walls of the orbit, the bony socket that protects the eye. Repair restores normal eye position, prevents long-term double vision, and protects vision itself.
The orbital floor and the medial (inner) wall of the orbit are paper-thin by design. They give way under sudden pressure to spare the eye and brain. The classic blowout fracture drops orbital fat (and sometimes an eye muscle) into the maxillary sinus below, leaving the eye sitting lower in its socket, restricted in its upward movement, and prone to double vision.
Repair involves lifting any entrapped tissue back into the orbit and reconstructing the missing portion of the bony wall, typically with a custom-shaped implant. As an oculofacial plastic surgeon, Dr. Boxrud is specifically trained in orbital reconstruction; the same anatomy that underlies her aesthetic work around the eyes is the anatomy that has to be rebuilt precisely after trauma to avoid lasting functional problems.
Patients are referred to her from emergency rooms, ENT and ophthalmology services across Los Angeles for this work. Timing matters: many orbital fractures are best repaired as soon as possible after the injury, before scar tissue makes the repair more difficult.
- Timing
- Best evaluated immediately after the injury; some fractures need urgent repair, others can be observed.
- Procedure
- Outpatient or short-stay; performed under general anesthesia.
- Recovery
- Most patients return to normal activities within two weeks. Bruising and swelling are substantial in the first week.
What is an orbital fracture?
An orbital fracture is a break in the bones surrounding the eye. The most common type is a blowout fracture, where the thin floor of the orbit breaks downward into the sinus, often from blunt trauma like a sports injury, fall, or assault.
What are the symptoms of an orbital fracture?
Common symptoms include double vision (especially looking up), pain with eye movement, numbness of the cheek and upper teeth, a sunken-looking eye, swelling, and bruising. CT imaging confirms the diagnosis.
How urgently does an orbital fracture need repair?
It depends on the type of fracture and whether muscle is trapped. Some require urgent repair within days, especially in younger patients with trapped tissue; others are observed for one to two weeks to let swelling settle before deciding on surgery.
How long is recovery from orbital fracture repair?
Most patients return to non-strenuous activity within one to two weeks. Swelling and double vision can take longer to resolve; final settling takes several months.
Will I have visible scars?
Incisions for orbital fracture repair are placed in well-hidden locations, such as inside the lower eyelid (transconjunctival), so that external scars are typically not visible.
Is orbital trauma repair covered by insurance?
Typically yes. Orbital fracture repair is medically necessary; coverage is the norm but plan-dependent.