A Superior and Inferior Orbital Rim-Based Exophthalmometer (Orbitometer)

Abstract

In exophthalmometry when the lateral orbital rim is used as the instrument's fixation base, any alteration in the rim will render serial measurements inaccurate. The exophthalmometer we describe (technically, an "orbitometer") uses the superior and inferior orbital rim areas as a base of reference, making it particularly useful in lateral orbitotomy procedures. This instrument can be aligned at the midpupil horizontally and vertically with a vertical fixation bar. In addition, a vertical bar grathent scale allows measurement of hypoophthalmos and hyperophthalmos.

Orbital and Optic Nerve Trauma

“…The standard Hertel instrument requires an intact lateral orbital rim. A modification of this, designed by Thomas Naugle, uses the forehead and cheek as reference points [7]. Of course, enophthalmos may be modified by orbital hematoma and edema, and orbital emphysema, and a better assessment of late enophthalmos is probably made on the basis of the size and configuration of the fracture and the amount of prolapsed orbital contents.…”