The characteristics of midfacial fractures and the association with ocular injury: a prospective study

Ocular injuries commonly occur in patients with facial fractures. This prospective study was set up to determine the incidence of ocular injuries, as assessed by an ophthalmologist, in patients who had sustained midfacial fractures. Over a 2-year period, a study of 363 patients who had sustained midfacial trauma sufficient to lead to a facial bone fracture (438 fractures) was undertaken and patients received a comprehensive examination by an ophthalmologist and an orthoptist within 1 week of injury. The characteristics of the eye injuries sustained were related to the aetiology of the fracture, the type of fracture, and the sex and age of each patient. Ninety percent of patients sustained ocular injuries of various severities. Sixty three percent of patients sustained only minor or transient ocular injuries, 16% suffered moderately severe ocular injury and 12% experienced severe eye injuries. Road traffic accident was associated with the highest incidence of severe ocular disorder (9/45 = 20%) whilst assaults had the second highest incidence at 11% (20/181). One third of all patients with comminuted malar fracture suffered a severe ocular disorder (9/27) whilst blow-out fracture came second at 16.7% (6/36). Fifty six patients (15.4%) had a decrease in their visual acuity and 9 patients (2.5%) had significant traumatic optic neuropathy. Decrease in visual acuity was the main clinical finding accompanying the majority of significant eye injuries. When ocular injuries were related to aetiology, it was apparent that road traffic accidents and assaults associated with alcohol abuse showed the highest incidence of major ocular dysfunction. It is suggested that all patients sustaining midfacial fracture associated with a significant decrease in visual acuity either pre- or postoperatively should have an early ophthalmological review.