What medical emergency could arise from double vision in a patient with an orbital injury?

Double vision, or diplopia, in a patient with an orbital injury can indicate a disruption in the function of the extraocular muscles, which are responsible for controlling eye movement. One common cause of this dysfunction is oculomotor palsy, which results from damage to the oculomotor nerve. This nerve controls several important eye movements and is essential for maintaining proper ocular alignment.

In the context of an orbital injury, trauma can lead to swelling, bleeding, or direct compression of the oculomotor nerve, resulting in impaired coordination of eye movements. As a result, the affected individual may experience double vision due to misalignment of the eyes. Prompt recognition of oculomotor palsy is crucial, as it may necessitate further evaluation and treatment to prevent permanent disruption of visual function.

The other options, while they may be complications of certain conditions, do not directly relate to the immediate implications of double vision in response to an orbital injury as clearly as oculomotor palsy does.