Reversible visual loss due to impacted lateral orbital wall fractures

Impaction of the sharp medial edge of the orbital plate of the greater sphenoid wing into the orbital apex is a unique type of lateral orbital wall fracture that can produce a potentially reversible optic neuropathy. Two patients in whom the lateral or temporal approach to the orbit was used to reduce this type of fracture will be presented. In both patients, improvement in vision appeared to be related to removal of a bone fragment compressing the optic nerve in the orbital apex.