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What Is Orbital Reconstruction?

Orbital reconstruction is surgery that repairs the bones and soft tissues around the eye, also called the orbit or eye socket. It is done after trauma, after removing a growth, or after certain facial surgeries. The goal is to support the eye, restore normal shape, and protect vision. The exact plan depends on which orbital walls are affected.

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What Is Orbital Reconstruction?

Orbital reconstruction is surgery that repairs the bones and soft tissues around the eye, also called the orbit or eye socket. It is done after trauma, after removing a growth, or after certain facial surgeries. The goal is to support the eye, restore normal shape, and protect vision. The exact plan depends on which orbital walls are affected.

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Why Orbital Reconstruction Is Done

Breaks in the orbit can change eye position and cause double vision or a sunken look. Soft tissue can also get trapped in a fracture, which limits eye movement. Some cases follow tumor removal where bone support needs rebuilding. Surgery aims to restore structure and reduce long-term problems.

Common Orbital Injuries

Orbital floor fractures are common after a blow to the face, like a sports injury or fall. Other fractures involve the rim or medial wall near the nose. Symptoms can include swelling, bruising, numb cheek, double vision, or pain with eye movement. A CT scan is often used to confirm the fracture pattern.

What Surgery Can Involve

The surgeon can place a thin implant or plate to rebuild the broken wall and support the eye contents. Incisions can be made inside the eyelid or in hidden skin creases to reduce visible scars. Trapped tissue is freed so the eye can move more normally. Your surgeon will explain the approach based on the injury.

Recovery and Warning Signs

Swelling and bruising are common for the first one to two weeks. Doctors often recommend avoiding nose blowing because it can push air into the orbit. Follow-up visits check eye movement, vision, and healing. Seek urgent care for sudden vision changes, severe pain, fever, or worsening swelling.

Frequently Asked Questions About Orbital Reconstruction

What Is an Orbital Floor Fracture?

It is a break in the thin bone under the eye. It can let tissue sag or get trapped, which can cause double vision or a sunken look. Imaging helps confirm the injury.

Will Orbital Reconstruction Change Appearance?

It can improve symmetry when the eye looks sunken or the socket shape changed after trauma. Swelling hides the final look at first. Surgeons talk through expected cosmetic changes before surgery.

How Long Does Swelling Last?

Most swelling improves over one to two weeks, but small changes can last longer. Bruising often fades within two weeks. Healing time depends on the injury and the surgical approach.

When Should You Seek Urgent Care After an Eye Injury?

Go get urgent care for sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, new double vision that is getting worse, or blood in the eye. Fever or worsening swelling can signal infection. Fast care can protect vision.

References

Orbital Floor Fracture. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534825/. Date Accessed February 17, 2026.

Orbital Reconstruction for Orbital Floor Fracture. AO Foundation Surgery Reference. https://surgeryreference.aofoundation.org/cmf/trauma/midface/orbit-floor/reconstruction. Accessed February 17, 2026.

Orbital Fractures. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25075-orbital-fractures. Date Accessed February 17, 2026.

Orbital Fracture. American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. https://aapos.org/glossary/orbital-fracture. Date Accessed February 17, 2026.

Surgery for Orbital Tumors. Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery. https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org/condition/orbital-tumors/surgery-orbital-tumors. Date Accessed February 17, 2026.