Strabismus Associated with Head and Facial Trauma

Abstract

Blunt trauma and/or surgical intervention around the face, and specifically the orbit, frequently results in unwanted paralytic or restrictive muscle imbalance, or both; in addition, decompensation of precompensated strabismus is common. Blowout fractures may result in vertical and/or horizontal paralytic restrictive deviations. These may occur from fibrosis of the muscles as well as nerve and/or actual muscle damage. Inadvertent entry into the orbit following otorhinolaryngological surgery has had the same serious consequences. We discuss diagnostic and management techniques to aid in the care of these problems, as well as the problems of decompensation of monofixation syndromes and controlled accommodative esotropias resulting in decompensation by relative inconsequential head traumas.

• Strabismus
• trauma
• head trauma
• facial trauma
• cranial nerve palsies