Permenant Black Eye

I got punched twice in the eye in Febuary 08. When this occured I got a funny taste in my mouth and then threw up blood. My left side of my upper teeth were numb for about 3 days after. I went to the optometrist and he said there was no damage to my sight and the swelling and discoloration should go away in about two weeks. Well it didnt after a month my eye still appeared dark, tight and small. I thought i could possibly have an orbital fracture because my eye appears to be sunken in. So the second optometrist did eye testing and said there was no damage but there was the appearance that my left eyelid was lower than my right but no real explanation or help. So now i've gone to a opthalmologist and he looked at my eyes and checked them with all kinds of lights and a stick sort of instrument. He assured me i didn't have a blowout fracture but possibly pstosis which he said might not of come from my injury. This made me upset because i had pictures of what i looked like before the incident and after so I KNOW THE PUNCHES damaged my eye. So he asked me to bring photos of me 5 years ago to determine if i had on-going pstosis. Can you get that from a hit in the eye? Can you have a orbital fracture and not have pain? Is there any way to restore my damaged eye? To me it feels like a nerve or musle has been pinched above my eyelid and that is why it is appearing to look lazy and small? Any suggestions?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

1. You can get ptosis from a blow to the orbit.
2. You can have an orbital fracture and not have pain.
3. Only an eye exam can tell you for sure.

Get a second opinion from an Eye MD ophthalmologist that specializes in oculoplastic surgery Find one at www.aao.org

JCH MD