Distracted pedestrian sustains orbital fracture while on cell phone

Aimée R Edell, Jesse J Jung, Joel M Solomon, Richard N Palu

Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

Abstract: Use of cell phones in the general population has become increasingly commonplace. The distracting effects of cell phones among automobile drivers are well established, and legislation prohibits the use of handheld cell phones while driving in several states. Recent research has focused on the similar distracting effects of cell phones in the pedestrian population. In this report, an older gentleman suffered extensive facial trauma requiring surgery as a direct effect of cell phone use at the time the trauma occurred. This case highlights the role that portable electronic devices can play as a cause of ocular trauma.

Keywords: orbital fracture, ocular trauma, orbital floor fracture, cell phone distraction, pedestrian safety