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.