Enophthalmos, also known as sunken eyes, is a health condition that could occur after a motorcycle accident. Around 82,500 motorcyclists in California sustain an injury every year from an accident. Enophthalmos is one of many types of injuries that you could have when you get into an accident.
Causes of enophthalmos
There are numerous ways that motorcycle accidents could cause enophthalmos. Fractures to your orbital bones, which surround your eyes, might cause your eyes to sink. Enophthalmos could happen in either one or both eyes. Fractures to the other bones of your face, including your jaw, might cause this condition too.
Warning signs that you may have enophthalmos:
- Sagging upper eyelids
- Double vision
- Difficulty focusing
- Asymmetry of your facial features
- Dry eyes
- A deep groove in your eyelids
Enophthalmos treatment
If the displacement of your eye is less than 2 mm, then you are most likely to receive conservative therapy. Surgical treatment is often for displacements of more than 2 mm. Conservative therapy might consist of antibacterial drugs and corticosteroids. Doctors may also instill hypertonic saline solutions.
There are several surgical options. Doctors might insert silicone implants into the retrobulbar space, or they could reposition the bone fragments. For patients who have minimal damage, they may qualify for less invasive endoscopic techniques.
Preventing enophthalmos
You could reduce your risk of enophthalmos by wearing the recommended safety equipment and staying alert while riding your motorcycle. Avoiding road rage also helps protect you from injuries like enophthalmos. Even if you don’t have a crash, a fistfight could cause this injury too. Therapists may be able to help you learn how to manage your anger if it’s an issue that you struggle with.
If you have symptoms of enophthalmos after a motorcycle accident, you may want to see a doctor. This condition could cause blindness in the worst-case scenario. Taking all possible safety precautions while riding a motorcycle helps protect you from injuries.