Blindness after Blunt Facial Trauma: Are There Any Clinical Clues to Early Recognition?

BACKGROUND: Vision-threatening injury is a relatively rare but devastating complication of maxillofacial trauma. Identification is not always straightforward. The purpose of this study was to look at our experience of blindness after blunt facial injuries to see whether any useful patterns or risk factors were identified to assist in early recognition. METHODS: This was a retrospective, qualitative study undertaken at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. All case notes, plain radiographs, and computed tomographic scans were reviewed and the relevant data collated. RESULTS: Over a 10-year period, 17 patients were identified in which loss of vision occurred secondary to blunt injury to the face. CONCLUSION: It is important to maintain a high index of suspicion when dealing with maxillofacial trauma, particularly if the patient is not cooperative. We provide a list of salient features to look for in the examination and history to aid the clinician.