Outcome of ocular motility disturbances in orbital injuries

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively address the referral patterns of patients with orbital injuries presenting to the Orthoptic Clinic, to document the types of injury sustained and corresponding ocular motility defects, and to evaluate the eventual ocular motility outcome of these patients.

This study documented the findings of orthoptic and ophthalmic investigations, history of orbital injury and surgical details where applicable. Case notes of 30 patients were reviewed, of which 22 had an orbital fracture and eight a soft tissue injury. The severity of injury, referral pattern to either maxillofacial or ophthalmology units, and age at time of injury were compared to eventual ocular motility outcome.

Despite there being more patients referred initially to the maxillofacial unit, there was no significant difference in outcome regardless of route of referral, type of injury or age at time of injury. The causes of injury included sports, assault, falls and road traffic accidents.