Also called orbital fracture. A break in the bone around the eye after an injury.
What it is
The bones around the eye are thin, so a blow to the eye can break the floor or wall of the socket. Tissue can drop through the gap.
Symptoms
Double vision, an eye that sits back or lower, numbness of the cheek, lip or gum, bruising and swelling, and pain on looking up.
Causes
A direct blow: sport, a fall, an assault or a road accident.
When to get it checked
Attend an emergency department after an injury to the eye. Repairs, where they are needed, are usually done within about two weeks.
How it is checked
Every plan starts with an examination by a consultant, not a photograph or a questionnaire.
- Your consultant examines your eyes, measures how far each sits forward, checks your vision and eye movements, and arranges a scan where one is needed.
- What your consultant finds is explained in plain English, there and then.
- You leave with a written plan and, where treatment is right for you, a written fee.
- You are never asked to decide on the day.
If surgery is not the right answer, your consultant will say so, and explain what happens if you do nothing.
Questions patients ask
Do I need a referral?
No. You can request a consultation directly. A letter from your GP or optometrist is helpful if you have one, and your insurer may ask for it.
Will I need surgery?
Not always. Your consultant will explain whether treatment is needed, what each option involves, and what happens if you do nothing.
What happens at the consultation?
Your consultant examines your eyes, measures how far each sits forward, checks your vision and eye movements, and arranges a scan where one is needed. You leave with a written plan and fee, and time to decide.
How soon can I be seen?
The clinic team will offer the first suitable appointment, and sooner where your consultant judges it urgent.