A case report of traumatic dislocation of eyeball

Abstract

Complete dislocation of an intact globe into the maxillary sinus after an extensive blowout fracture is a rare occurrence. We report a case of pure blowout fracture of the floor of the orbit with intact orbital margins due to trauma resulting in complete dislocation of the globe into the maxillary sinus in a 42-year-old male. On ocular examination, the right eyeball was found to be absent from the orbit. Computerized tomography scan with contrast showed: (1) pure orbital blowout fracture; (2) intact eyeball in the right maxillary sinus; and (3) optic nerve seemed to be intact. Surgical exploration of the right maxillary sinus through Caldwell-Luc approach revealed a circular fracture which was just the size of the globe in the middle of the inferior orbital wall. The orbital contents were also found to be dislocated completely into the right maxillary sinus. The dislocated globe was repositioned into the orbit and the orbital floor fracture repaired with bone graft taken from iliac crest. The visual acuity in the right eye after the repositioning was no light perception. We are reporting this case because it is a rare condition and the various operative challenges.