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(Orbital) Blowout Fracture (Defined)
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus ^ | updated 07/2013 | AAPOS

Posted on 08/19/2014 10:24:38 AM PDT by smoothsailing

American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus

July 2013

Blowout Fracture

What is a “blowout” fracture?

A blowout fracture is a fracture of one or more of the bones surrounding the eye and is commonly referred to as an orbital floor fracture.

What is the orbit?

The orbit consists of the bones surrounding the eye. When looking at a skull, the orbit is the hole in the skull encompassing the eye.

What is the “floor” of the orbit?

The bones on the bottom of the orbit are the floor. The bones on the top are the roof and the bones on the side are the walls.

What is the function of the orbit?

The orbit holds the eye in the correct position. The orbit also protects the eye. Because the bones surrounding the eye “stick out” further than the eye, objects tend to hit the orbit and not the eye.

What causes a blowout fracture?

Blowout fractures result from trauma to the orbital bones. When an object hits the orbital bones (usually the eye brow and upper cheek bone) the force is transmitted to the bones. If the force is great enough, the bones buckle and break.

What are common causes of blowout fractures?

Any large object with force or speed can cause a blowout fracture. Typical causes include motor vehicle accidents, balls used in sports, fists, and elbows.

What are the symptoms of an orbital blowout fracture?

The most common symptoms are bruising, tenderness and swelling around the eye; redness of the eye; double vision, ordiplopia (seeing two images at the same time); numbness of the cheek, nose or teeth; nose bleeds (epistaxis) [See figure 1].

Symptoms that typically indicate a more serious injury are pain on eye movement, double vision, air under the skin around the eye, and numbness of the cheek/mouth/nose on the side of the injury. Severe trauma may cause facial bone fractures, injury to the eye itself, and injuries to the skull/brain.

How do you know if there is a fracture?

X-rays and CT scans of the orbit and face are used to make the diagnosis [See figure 2].

Are there different types of blowout fractures?

Blowout fractures are classified on several features including:

• size (big or small)
• location (front or back)
• bone in place or displaced
• tissue/muscle entrapped in fracture
• accompanying symptoms (double vision, pain, eye position)

A “simple” fracture is one with minimal or no double vision, minimal or no interference with eye movements, and minimal fracture size.

What can be done for a simple blowout fracture?
Most simple blowout fractures usually heal without lasting problems. Treatment consists of:

• ice to decrease swelling
• decongestants to aid in the drainage of blood and fluid accumulating in the sinuses
• avoidance of nose blowing to prevent pressure from propelling the sinus contents into the orbit
• oral steroids in some cases to decrease swelling and scarring
• sometimes oral antibiotics

When should surgical repair of blowout fractures be considered?

Fractures with persistent symptoms (typically double vision or pain) are usually candidates for surgical repair. Timing of the repair varies, but most often is within two weeks of the injury. Initial repair may consist of any of the following:

• exploration of fracture site and repositioning of bone
• release of trapped tissue from fracture site
• covering of fracture site with synthetic material

What long-term problems may develop following blowout fractures?

Most fractures heal without long-term effects. However, strabismus surgery (eye muscle surgery) is sometimes necessary for persistent double vision. Occasionally, persistent double vision can be treated with non-surgical methods (prism glasses or botulinum toxin injections).

 updated 07/2013


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1 posted on 08/19/2014 10:24:38 AM PDT by smoothsailing
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To: smoothsailing

Injury will be said to have been caused when the gun he was using to execute the innocent child recoiled and struck the officer in the eye.


2 posted on 08/19/2014 10:26:48 AM PDT by rktman (Ethnicity: Nascarian. Race: Daytonafivehundrian)
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To: smoothsailing

This is an injury that is not a rare symptom of black interaction with whites and Asians.


3 posted on 08/19/2014 10:28:15 AM PDT by ansel12 (LEGAL immigrants, 30 million 1980-2012, continues to remake the nation's electorate for democrats)
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To: smoothsailing

I guess that I would have be in fear for my life, as did this LEO.


4 posted on 08/19/2014 10:30:30 AM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo (Please $upport Free Republic.)
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To: rktman

Nah...he did it when he was trying to pull Baby Brown into the squad car while trying to light the BBQ stand in the back of the squad car....all at the same time. Never try to kidnap innocent giant children and cook them at the same time!


5 posted on 08/19/2014 10:31:14 AM PDT by Dallas59
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To: smoothsailing

Missing from the accurate jargon-laden explanation: This is a very serious injury that could maybe kill you.


6 posted on 08/19/2014 10:35:20 AM PDT by Kenny Bunk (Only a specific Program, Plan, and Leadership will end the chaos of dysfunctional government.)
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo; smoothsailing

You bet I’d be in fear for my life if sustaining that injury from a 290 lb guy and then he comes at me again.


7 posted on 08/19/2014 10:35:44 AM PDT by jazusamo (Sometimes I think that this is an era when sanity has become controversial: Thomas Sowell)
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To: smoothsailing

Why is this coming out NOW?

Part of the information campaign.


8 posted on 08/19/2014 10:37:33 AM PDT by Fido969 (What's sad is most)
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To: smoothsailing

In case of an injury such as this, keep pulling the trigger until the “BOOM” is replaced by a “click”.


9 posted on 08/19/2014 10:39:05 AM PDT by GT Vander (Life's priorities; God, Family, Country. Everything else is just details...)
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To: smoothsailing

I’ve had it. Hurts like hell. Almost lost my left eye.


10 posted on 08/19/2014 10:41:03 AM PDT by Buckeye Battle Cry (Hey Obama! Wake up and piss! The World's on FIRE!)
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To: rktman

Nonsense.

The cop clearly did this to himself after he racistexecuted the gentle giant who was picking daises at the roadside to give to his grand mom.


11 posted on 08/19/2014 10:41:47 AM PDT by chris37 (heartless)
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Did You Know?

The Current FReepathon Pays For The Current Quarter's Expenses?

Now That You Do, Donate And Keep FR Running


12 posted on 08/19/2014 10:43:37 AM PDT by DJ MacWoW (The Fed Gov is not one ring to rule them all)
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To: smoothsailing
Wilson was a hero in this. He did his job and was assaulted, injured, and put in jeopardy of his life for it.

My own reconstruct goes like this:

A large (6 foot 6 inch tall, 290 pound) 18 year old black man, Michael Brown, was shot and killed after a struggle and confrontation with a white police officer, Darren Wilson.

Brown had robbed a store moments before and he and his accomplice were walking down the middle of a street when the police officer, unaware of the robbery at the time, asked them to not walk in the middle of the street.

When Wilson pulled ahead and observed that they did not move, he also got a radio report of the robbery, and the two matched the description of the suspects. At that point, Wilson returned to question them.

An argument inured. The officer tried to get out of his vehicle and Brown held the door shut.

A struggles insured through the car window which may have included a struggle for the officer's weapon. In the struggle, Brown punched Wilson in the face, fracturing the orbital bone around his eye.

A shot rang out and Brown and his friend ran.

The officer got out of his car and followed, ordering them to stop. Brown turned sound and had more words with Wilson, and then, according to witnesses, Brwn 'bum charged' the officer who fired several times at the attacking Brown, killing him.

Once again a false narrative (a lie) has been concocted to play the race card, gen up violence, and serve political ends.

The same crew of individuals are involved. Obama, Holder, Sharpton, Jackson, and the New Back Panthers. All to the same purpose, as with Treyvon Martin. And like with Martin...all a pack of lies.

13 posted on 08/19/2014 10:50:15 AM PDT by Jeff Head (Semper Fidelis - Molon Labe - Sic Semper Tyrannis)
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To: chris37

Maybe the cop squinted so hard in his racist rage that he cracked his own eye socket. Meanwhile, Gentle Mike the friendly Snuffalupagus of Ferguson St. bent to annoint his feet with oil and Officer Legree assumed he was going for his gun.


14 posted on 08/19/2014 10:59:58 AM PDT by Callahan
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To: Kenny Bunk

How will it kill you?


15 posted on 08/19/2014 11:01:33 AM PDT by Kirkwood (Zombie Hunter)
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To: Jeff Head

You could add that Brown had marijuana in his body at the time and the cigars he stole are commonly used by replacing the tobacco with marijuana.


16 posted on 08/19/2014 11:04:28 AM PDT by AJFavish (www.allanfavish.com)
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To: chris37

rexecuted? racicuted? New websters possibly?


17 posted on 08/19/2014 11:08:08 AM PDT by rktman (Ethnicity: Nascarian. Race: Daytonafivehundrian)
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To: rktman

Yep!

Ever devolving English language R.I.P.!

Yesterday’s word of the day was “Blicktims”.


18 posted on 08/19/2014 11:09:44 AM PDT by chris37 (heartless)
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To: Kirkwood
How will it kill you?

Seriously? Brain concussion. If you're hit hard enough to break the orbital bone, which is extremely heavy, you brain is rattling around in your skull like a pair of maracas.

19 posted on 08/19/2014 11:31:44 AM PDT by SamuraiScot
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To: Fido969

Exactly. Coming out this long after makes no sense at all. Why not release information like this immediately. Those that will refuse to believe now will claim it came out so late it was made up.


20 posted on 08/19/2014 11:36:05 AM PDT by pas
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