Orbital Decompression for the Treatment of Spontaneous Globe Luxations

Aims: To describe the results of orbital decompression in patients with spontaneous globe luxations and to evaluate predisposing factors for this condition.

Methods: The clinical records of patients who underwent orbital decompression for the treatment of spontaneous globe luxations between 2010 and 2013 were reviewed. Data collected were age, gender, predisposing factors, preoperative and postoperative exophthalmometry, duration of follow-up, presence of diplopia before and after surgery and intra- and postoperative complications.

Results: Seven patients underwent orbital decompression after spontaneous globe luxation during the study period. Six patients underwent bilateral decompression. Two patients underwent a three-wall decompression, four of them medial and lateral decompression and one patient medial decompression. The predisposing factors for globe luxation were Graves’ orbitopathy, malar hypoplasia, high myopia, floppy eyelid syndrome and orbital fat hypertrophy in the context of obesity. After orbital decompression, none of the patients reported new globe luxations. No intraoperative complications were observed. None of the patients developed de novo diplopia.

Discussion: Orbital decompression is an effective method for the prevention of new episodes in patients with spontaneous globe luxations. It has good aesthetic and functional results and addresses the exophthalmos present in most cases.