Eye Socket Surgery in San Diego & Imperial County
The bones surrounding your eye protect critical structures—muscles, nerves, and tissue that control sight and movement. If you’ve experienced trauma from a fall, accident, or sports injury, prompt evaluation is essential. At American Eye Associates, we provide expert care for orbital fractures, using precise surgical techniques to repair damage, relieve pressure, and preserve long-term vision.
What Is an Orbital Fracture?
An orbital fracture is a break in one or more bones forming the eye socket, also called the orbit. These bones are thin and fragile, and while they serve to protect your eye, they can break under pressure from trauma such as a fall, sports injury, or car accident. There are different types of orbital fractures:
- Orbital Floor Fractures: Breaks in the bottom of the socket (the most common)
- Medial Wall Fractures: Involve the thin bone near the nose
- Blowout Fractures: When force causes the eye to press backward, breaking the socket walls
- Complex Fractures: Involve multiple areas of the orbit and sometimes the surrounding facial bones
Because these bones surround your eye, damage can affect muscles, nerves, vision, and facial symmetry.
Do You Need Surgery?
Not every orbital fracture needs surgery, but surgery is often necessary when bone movement, tissue entrapment, or visual symptoms occur. Common signs include:
- Double vision or difficulty moving your eye in certain directions
- Changes in eye position (sunken or bulging appearance)
- Persistent swelling or bruising that doesn’t resolve
- Numbness or tingling in the cheek or upper lip
- Vision changes or a sensation of pressure behind the eye
- Any facial trauma followed by worsening symptoms over a few days
Even if your symptoms seem mild, orbital fractures can become more challenging to repair if left untreated.
Surgical Treatment for Orbital Fractures
At American Eye Associates, our oculoplastic surgeon performs orbital fracture repair with careful attention to the anatomy of the eye, socket, and surrounding tissue. During the procedure, we:
- Carefully assess the fractured area (often through the eyelid or inside the mouth or nose to avoid visible scarring)
- Realign displaced bone segments
- Remove any bone fragments or tissue trapping the eye muscles
- Place a thin implant if needed to support the orbital floor or walls
The goal is to restore eye position, improve vision, and prevent long-term complications like sunken eyes (enophthalmos) or chronic double vision. Most doctors perform surgeries under general anesthesia, and you can return home the same day since they are outpatient procedures.