Orbital emphysema - the need for surgical intervention.

Introduction: Orbital emphysema is a recognised complication of fractures of the orbit and only rarely poses a threat to vision.

Patients And Methods: We present three patients with threatened vision secondary to orbital emphysema that required an immediate surgical decompression.

Results: Visual function was preserved in all three patients.

Conclusion: Clinical awareness of pneumo-orbitism is vital as immediate orbital decompression may be necessary to preserve visual function.