Orbital emphysema – the need for surgical intervention

SummaryIntroductionOrbital emphysema is a recognised complication of fractures of the orbit and only rarely poses a threat to vision.Patients and methodsWe present three patients with threatened vision secondary to orbital emphysema that required an immediate surgical decompression.ResultsVisual function was preserved in all three patients.ConclusionClinical awareness of pneumo-orbitism is vital as immediate orbital decompression may be necessary to preserve visual function.