What is the primary complication of orbital fractures?

The primary complication of orbital fractures is double vision, also known as diplopia. This occurs when the muscles that control eye movement are affected by the injury, leading to misalignment of the eyes. In some cases, the fracture can entrap the muscles or the nerves that control eye movement, resulting in difficulty in moving the eye in certain directions. Such misalignment often leads to double vision, which can be persistent and may require surgical intervention to correct the alignment of the eyes or repair any muscle entrapment.

In contrast, while loss of vision can be a serious concern, it is not the most immediate or primary complication associated with orbital fractures. Prolonged headaches and bilateral eye swelling may occur due to trauma but are not the central issue linked directly to the complications of the fracture itself.