A right orbital fracture is a break to the bones surrounding your right eye. This injury can sometimes heal with remedies, like ice, rest, and more. For severe fractures, doctors may recommend surgery.
An injury to your face may cause a right orbital fracture, such as an injury from a car accident, a fall, or after a hit to the face from a baseball or basketball.
Right orbital fractures can cause symptoms such as:
- double vision
- blurry vision
- difficulty controlling eye motions
The exact symptoms and treatment depend on the location and severity of the fracture.
Read on to learn more about this injury.
There are a few types of orbital fractures. The type of fracture you have depends on which bones surrounding your right eye fracture or break. Types of right orbital fractures include:
- Right orbital rim fracture: An orbital rim fracture is an injury to the outer edges of the eye area. The bone in this area is thick. People with orbital rim fractures often have other facial and eye injuries.
- Right orbital floor fracture: An orbital floor fracture occurs when an injury pushes the eye socket backward. This can also affect the eye’s muscles and nerves.
- Right blowout fracture: A blowout fracture is a break on the inner wall or the surrounding bones of the eye sockets. These bones are thin, and this injury can occur as a result of seemingly minor hits to the face.
The exact symptoms of a right orbital fracture depend on the type and severity of the fracture. Common symptoms include:
- vision that’s double, weakened, or blurry
- a bruised area or swelling around the eye
- cheek or forehead swelling
- a bulging or sunken eye
- flatness in the cheek
- pain in the cheek when opening the mouth
- numbness on the right side of the face
- redness (blood) in the white of the eye
- difficulty controlling eye movements
Treatment depends on the severity of the fracture. Some orbital fractures require surgical treatment, but minor fractures will often heal on their own. You and your doctor will discuss the extent of your fracture and they will walk you through the treatment options based on your condition.
Common treatments for right orbital fractures include:
- Ice: In many cases, doctors recommend ice and cold compresses to manage swelling and pain.
- Rest: Rest can help with recovery from a right orbital fracture and prevent the injury from worsening.
- Antibiotics: Sometimes, doctors prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
- Decongestants: Decongestants can help reduce swelling around the eye.
- Surgery: You may need surgery for severe right orbital fractures. Doctors perform surgery to reconstruct the eye socket and repair damaged tissues and muscles. Sometimes, they place a thin implant over the fractured floor of the eye socket.
When do orbital fractures need surgery?
A doctor may recommend surgery for an orbital fracture based on the size of the fracture or if a muscle herniates into the fracture site. They may also recommend surgery if you have double vision with eye movement. This may be an indication that the eye isn’t working as it should.
The recovery time after a right orbital fracture depends on the severity of the fracture. Some fractures will heal on their own. Other fractures will require surgery.
The recovery time after surgery can vary depending on how much reconstruction a doctor performs. Generally, you can return to work or school within about a week following your right orbital fracture surgery, but your doctor will advise you to avoid lifting heavy objects or engaging in strenuous physical activity for at least 3 weeks.
Your doctor will monitor your progress in postoperative visits and let you know when it’s safe to resume all activities.
The cost of right orbital fracture treatment can vary widely, depending on:
- injury severity
- whether you have insurance
- the type of coverage you have
- where you live
Complex surgery will be more expensive than cold compresses and antibiotics. Most insurance companies, including Medicare, will usually cover some or all of the cost of right orbital repair surgery.
However, there are exceptions. Medicare and other insurance companies will only cover right orbital repair surgery if a doctor performs it for medical reasons, such as:
Insurance providers often won’t cover surgery that doctors perform to correct cosmetic concerns, such as facial drooping or a flat cheek.
The cost without insurance depends on the extent of your surgery, your surgeon, and your location. Always get a quote before agreeing to a surgical procedure, especially if you need to pay for it out of pocket.
What happens if you don’t treat orbital fractures?
Many orbital fractures don’t require treatment. These fractures can heal on their own without surgery. However, treatment can help prevent complications in severe fractures.
These fractures can lead to nerve damage, muscle tears, and even permanent vision loss. That’s why it’s important to have a medical professional assess an orbital fracture. They can order X-rays and other tests to see the extent of your fracture and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
A right orbital fracture is a break to the bones surrounding your right eye. A direct impact to your face usually causes it. Right orbital fractures can sometimes heal on their own. You can treat these fractures with ice and rest. Sometimes, doctors also prescribe antibiotics and decongestants.
Doctors treat severe fractures with surgical repair. Surgery can restore the fractured eye socket and remove any damaged tissue. The right treatment option for your right orbital fracture depends on the severity of the break and your symptoms. A doctor will discuss your options with you when they diagnose your injury.