Factors Associated with Ocular Injury in Orbital Fracture Patients: Who Requires Urgent Ophthalmic Evaluation?

Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. 2024 Sep-Oct;26(5):631-637. doi: 10.1089/fpsam.2021.0045. Epub 2021 Sep 27.

Abstract

Importance: Create validated criteria to identify orbital fracture patients at higher risk for significant ocular injuries. Objective: Determine history and physical examination findings in orbital fracture patients who are associated with ocular injury and warrant urgent assessment by an ophthalmologist. Design, Setting, and Participants: Retrospective chart review of 535 adult orbital fracture patients evaluated at a Level I emergency department between 2014 and 2017, without prior history of orbital fracture, ocular injury, or ocular/orbital surgery. Main Outcomes and Measure: Presence of ocular injury. Results: In total, 195 (36%) patients had an ocular injury. Those with and without ocular injury were compared in a multivariate logistic regression model including demographics, fracture characteristics, injury mechanism, and physical examination findings. Visual acuity change, radiographic retrobulbar hemorrhage, abnormal pupillary reaction, and inability to open the injured eye all had significant associations with ocular injury when other findings were controlled. Conclusion: This study shows a significant association between ocular injury and visual acuity change, retrobulbar hemorrhage, abnormal pupillary reaction, and inability to open the injured eye. These factors can help triage when to obtain an urgent ophthalmology consult.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Eye Injuries* / complications
  • Eye Injuries* / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orbital Fractures* / complications
  • Orbital Fractures* / diagnostic imaging
  • Orbital Fractures* / surgery
  • Physical Examination
  • Retrobulbar Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Retrobulbar Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging
  • Retrobulbar Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Visual Acuity*
  • Young Adult