Cheekbone Reconstruction and Loss of Vision

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in cheekbone reconstruction. I suffered a self inflicted blunt trauma to my right cheekbone ten years ago. I pushed it in with my fist over several months until I felt it sink in then stopped immediately. Not the zygomatic arch but around the orbit of the eye. The bone has healed and my face now appears asymmetrical. Ever since that injury the eyesight on my right eye has become somewhat blurry and I feel light pressure against my eye when I open my nostrils. I remember the exact day I felt my cheekbone sink in, the poor vision began. My left eye has perfect 20/20 vision. I was wondering if a right cheekbone osteotomy would restore the original symmetry of my face and take the pressure off my eye? Possibly restoring my vision. This was a terrible mistake that I made as a child and know how ridiculous it seems. Thank you. 

A: Without a 3D CT scan to determine the shape of the orbital walls it would be impossible to say whether any cheekbone reconstruction would improve the feeling of pressure in the eye or your vision. Although it could probably be predicted that no form of orbital decompression will cause improvement in your vision.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana