Epidemiology

According to a retrospective review of 111 orbital fractures in the US:[5]

  • Zygomatic complex fractures involving the orbit are the most common (50%), followed by the naso-ethmoid-orbital (NEO) region in 32% and the frontal region in 28% of cases.

  • Of the orbital walls, 4 walls are involved in 5%, 3 walls in 17%, 2 walls in 30%, and 1 wall in 50% of cases.

  • Associated ocular injury occurs in 33%, and neurological injury in 57% of patients.

Another retrospective review, also from the US, found orbital floor fractures (48%) and medial wall fractures (25%) are the most common, with left-sided fractures more common than right-sided fractures.[6] In the US, the estimated annual incidence of orbital floor fractures is 8.9 per 100,000 people.[7]​ In the US and UK, the incidence of orbital fractures appears to be increasing.[8][9]​​

The most common cause of orbital floor fractures is assault (43%), followed by falls (26%).[9]​ Approximately 70% of patients with orbital fractures are male, and most are aged 18-45 years.[6][10]​ Falls are the most common cause of orbital fractures in women and in patients age ≥50 years.[6]

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