Orbital Compartment Syndrome

Orbital compartment syndrome
Retrobulbar bleeding resulting in orbital compartment syndrome[1]
Specialty	Emergency medicine, ophthalmology
Symptoms	Decreased vision, bulging of the eye, double vision, pain, firm eye[2]
Complications	Blindness[3]
Causes	Retrobulbar bleeding, infection, cancer, burns, air[2][4]
Diagnostic method	Based on symptoms, supported by medical imaging[4]
Treatment	Lateral canthotomy[3]
Frequency	Rare[5]

Orbital compartment syndrome (OCS) is the result of rapid increase in pressure within the orbit.^[3] Symptoms may include decreased vision, bulging of the eye, double vision, and pain.^[2] The eye is typical firm to touch with a dilated non reactive pupil.^[2][4] Without treatment complications can include blindness.^[3]

Relatively common causes include retrobulbar bleeding due to either injury or eye surgery.^[2] Other causes include infection, cancer, burns, and air behind the eye.^[2][4] Diagnosis is based on symptoms, though may be supported by medical imaging in unclear cases.^[4][2]

Treatment is by lateral canthotomy.^[3] This should be performed as soon as the diagnosis is suspected when vision problems are present.^[2] While it is generally best for this to be performed rapidly after the onset of the condition, cases of vision recovery in delayed cases have been reported.^[2]

Orbital compartment syndrome is rare.^[2][5] It was first diagnosed in 1950 by Gordon and McRae.^[3]

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