Gradual oculomotor training in blow-out orbital fracture reconstruction recovery

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the impact of gradual oculomotor training (GOT) in blow-out orbital fracture (BOF) reconstruction recovery with the impact of high-intensity trainings. METHODS: In total, 120 patients with BOF requiring orbital reconstruction surgery were randomly divided into four groups; all groups performed postoperative oculomotor training four times per day. Patients in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 performed 10, 20, 30, and 50 sets of all-direction movement per training on the first 3 days, respectively; they performed 10 additional sets per training on the following 4 days. Patients in all groups performed 50 sets per training from 8 days to 3 months postoperatively. Incision healing, pain, and satisfaction rate, as well as degree of diplopia, were recorded during follow-up. RESULTS: At 7 days postoperatively, more patients in Group 1 had no/mild swelling and no/mild pain, compared with patients in Group 4. Patients in Groups 1 and 2 had higher satisfaction rates than patients in Group 4. The degree of diplopia did not significantly differ among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with BOF, GOT after reconstruction surgery was more beneficial for wound healing, pain relief, and satisfaction; the degree of diplopia did not significantly differ, compared with high-intensity trainings.