Intraocular pressure changes secondary to reduction of orbito-zygomatic complex fractures.

Purpose: To investigate intraocular pressure (IOP) changes in the involved eye during orbito-zygomatic complex fracture reduction, compared with the IOP of the eye on the uninjured side.

Patients And Methods: Twenty patients who presented with displaced, isolated unilateral orbito-zygomatic complex fractures were enrolled. IOPs were measured using a Tono-Pen XL (Medtronic Solan, Jacksonville, FL) in the involved eye and in the non-involved eye. Pressure was recorded at 5 time points (before general anesthetic induction, after induction, immediately after fracture reduction, post operation while still under general anesthetic, and 15 minutes post general anesthetic).

Results: There were no significant differences between the injured and control data at any time point. Average IOPs for the involved and control eye decreased after anesthetic induction; however, IOP increased in both eyes after fracture reduction.

Conclusion: There is no statistical evidence of a difference between the IOP of the control and injured eyes. Routine IOP testing is not indicated during orbito-zygomatic fracture reduction.