Purpose: Orbital wall fractures are a significant cause of ocular injury in trauma and are associated with posterior segment pathology. This study aims to characterize patterns and prognosis of commotio retinae following orbital wall fracture.
Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of 294 orbital wall fractures diagnosed by computed tomography imaging from August 2015 to October 2016 at a Level 1 trauma center. Dilated funduscopic exams were assessed for acute posterior segment pathology, focusing specifically on commotio retinae (N = 38). These were compared with patients with no traumatic retinal findings (N = 253) to indicate statistically significant differences in the mechanism of injury, fracture pattern, subjective symptoms, radiologic and exam findings, and acute interventions.
Results: Commotio was most commonly associated with assault (60.5%, p = 0.004) in a younger patient population, whereas normal retinal exams were more likely after falls from standing (24.1%, p = 0.022). Half of all commotio was found inferiorly and most commonly occurred in medial or inferior wall fracture. Patients with commotio were more likely to have motility deficits (29.7%, p = 0.049) with clinical evidence of entrapment (13.2%, p < 0.001), requiring acute operative repair (15.8%, p = 0.005). Inferior wall fracture was associated with 19.4% surgical intervention in commotio as compared with those with normal funduscopic exams (6.1%, p = 0.012). All patients with follow-up had resolution of commotio and best-corrected visual acuity of 20/25 or better.
Conclusion: Retinal pathology is not infrequent in orbital wall fractures. Inferior wall fracture was associated with 19.4% surgical intervention in commotio as compared to those with normal funduscopic exams (6.1%, p = 0.012). A high index of suspicion and thorough investigation is warranted in evaluating these patients.
Keywords: orbit; orbital fracture; retina.