Our Services
Orbital Reconstruction
Specialist reconstruction of the eye socket following trauma or disease — restoring anatomical form, correcting diplopia and enophthalmos, and preserving vision — using advanced 3D planning and custom implants.
Understanding the Condition
What Is Orbital Reconstruction?
The orbit is the bony cavity of the skull that contains and protects the eye. Trauma — a fall, an assault, a road traffic accident, or a sporting injury — can fracture the thin bones forming its floor, medial wall, or rim. Disease processes and previous surgery can also compromise orbital anatomy.
When the orbital walls are disrupted, the consequence can be herniation of orbital contents into the sinus below, trapping of the muscles that move the eye, and displacement of the eyeball itself. This produces double vision (diplopia), sunken eye appearance (enophthalmos), restricted eye movement, and in some cases visual disturbance that threatens sight.
Orbital reconstruction is one of the most demanding subspecialty areas within maxillofacial surgery, requiring precise understanding of three-dimensional anatomy, expert surgical technique, and access to advanced planning tools. It is an area in which Mr Bhatti and Professor Holmes have particular depth of experience, including one of the world's largest orbital fracture outcome studies, involving 582 patients.
Surgical Treatment
How Orbital Fractures Are Repaired
The goal of orbital reconstruction is to restore the original volume and shape of the bony orbit — ensuring the eyeball sits in its correct position, that the extraocular muscles move freely, and that facial symmetry is preserved or restored.
Primary Repair
Performed acutely following trauma, primary repair involves repositioning displaced bone and supporting the orbital floor and walls with an implant. Timing is important — early surgery (within 10–14 days) generally produces the best outcomes in terms of muscle function and symmetry.
Secondary & Revision Reconstruction
Many patients are seen weeks, months, or even years after an original injury, either because it was not initially treated, or because the initial repair did not fully restore orbital anatomy. Secondary reconstruction is technically more demanding, requiring careful assessment of any fibrous tissue, previous implant materials, and the degree of orbital volume change.
Custom 3D-Printed Implants
For complex cases — particularly where the orbital shape has changed significantly or where standard implants are insufficient — Mr Bhatti and Professor Holmes use custom-designed, patient-specific implants, manufactured using 3D printing from titanium or porous polyethylene. These are produced from the patient's own CT data and precisely match the required anatomy, offering accuracy that off-the-shelf implants cannot achieve.
This technology was used in the reconstruction of Mike, a pilot and scuba diver whose orbital floor fracture threatened his ability to fly again. A custom 3D-printed titanium implant restored his orbital anatomy, his vision, and his licence.
Is This Right for You?
Who Should Seek a Consultation?
- You have suffered facial trauma and have been told you have an orbital fracture
- You are experiencing double vision, restricted eye movement, or a sunken eye following an injury
- You have previously had orbital surgery and are unhappy with the outcome
- You have been referred by an ophthalmologist, ENT surgeon, or A&E physician
- You are seeking a specialist second opinion on an existing diagnosis or treatment plan
“Orbital reconstruction is not just about restoring appearance. We are restoring vision, function, and for many patients — like pilots, drivers, and professional athletes — the ability to continue the lives they love.”
— Mr Nabeel Bhatti
Frequently Asked Questions
To book a consultation, please contact us directly. Urgent assessment for acute orbital fractures can often be arranged at short notice.