The eyes are at serious risk of injury during many sports and accidents. One of the common and dangerous conditions is orbital fracture, especially the "white eye" type of orbital fracture. This injury usually occurs when a blunt force impact occurs, resulting in deformation of the floor or medial wall of the orbit. Although this type of injury is common, many people still don’t know much about its specific circumstances and consequences.
The occurrence of orbital fractures not only affects vision, but may even affect the normal function of the facial structure.
The human orbit is composed of seven bones, including the maxilla, zygomatic bone, frontal bone, lacrimal bone, sphenoid bone, palatine bone, and ethmoid bone. The structure of the orbital floor is thinner, making it the most susceptible to fracture when struck by an external force. Especially when the impact force exceeds the orbital foramen, the possibility of damage is higher.
A "white eye" orbital fracture usually refers to a small but extremely damaging fracture. Although the external manifestations may not be obvious, injured patients may experience symptoms such as vertigo, sunken eyes, and double vision. The occurrence of these symptoms means that the nerves or muscles around the eyes may have been involved.
A white-eye fracture is a rare condition and may be accompanied by muscle impingement, leading to more complex injuries.
Common causes of orbital fractures include sports injuries (such as ball strikes), traffic accidents, falls, and aggressive behavior. In these cases, the impact force acts directly on the eyeball, causing rupture of the orbital structures. In some cases, children's bones are more flexible, making them more likely to develop what's known as a "trapdoor fracture."
The diagnosis of orbital fracture is based on medical imaging examination and clinical manifestations. Common signs include blood bruising around the eyes, abnormal vision, and limited eye movement. Among imaging examinations, thin-section CT scans are the best way to detect fractures and can clearly show the specific conditions of the damaged area.
There are various methods to treat orbital fractures. Some patients can choose conservative observation. However, if more severe binocular vision problems or sunken eyes occur, surgical treatment needs to be considered. Surgical repair is usually performed after the swelling has subsided to avoid complications. Today, there are many surgical options, including incisions through the eyelids, or minimally invasive endoscopic-assisted surgery, which can effectively reduce scarring after surgery.
In the treatment of orbital fractures, clinicians need to face various challenges, such as judging the timing of surgery and postoperative follow-up care. Whether treated surgically or non-surgically, patient recovery depends on many factors. With the advancement of medical technology, many patients can expect good recovery results, but they still need to approach every treatment course with caution.
In the treatment of orbital fractures, effective clinical evaluation and continued observation are crucial.
There are still many undiscovered details about orbital fractures. As research deepens, the medical community will have a more comprehensive understanding of this fracture. Are we ready to deal with this invisible crisis?