Mechanical Fall Resulting in a Retrobulbar Hematoma

Volume 5, Issue 5, October 2020     |     PP. 108-114      |     PDF (338 K)    |     Pub. Date: October 11, 2020
DOI:    191 Downloads     4759 Views  

Author(s)

Eduardo Mejia, Emergency Department, UT-Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston – Medical School
Eric F. Reichman, Emergency Department, UT-Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston – Medical School

Abstract
An orbital compartment syndrome is an ophthalmic emergency characterized by an acute rise in orbital pressure that can cause damage to ocular and intraorbital structures. It can result in irreversible blindness if not reversed quickly. Decompression via a lateral canthotomy and cantholysis is often required as a quick method to reduce intraorbital pressure and salvage the patient’s sight. We present a 69-year-old male who fell from standing with a left eye retrobulbar hematoma on blood thinners. The hematoma resulted in increased intraocular pressure affecting the vision. The patient symptoms were relieved with decompression. This case highlights the lateral canthotomy and cantholysis in addition to the importance of repeat eye examinations for patients with changes in symptoms. This is the first case report and second time in the literature of apixaban causing a retrobulbar hematoma.

Keywords
Compartment syndrome, Retrobulbar hemorrhage, Intraocular pressure

Cite this paper
Eduardo Mejia, Eric F. Reichman, Mechanical Fall Resulting in a Retrobulbar Hematoma , SCIREA Journal of Clinical Medicine. Volume 5, Issue 5, October 2020 | PP. 108-114.

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