Purpose. Globe luxation, characterized as the anterior dislocation of the eyeball beyond retracted lids, presents a dramatic clinical picture. It is an uncommon event and can produce anxiety in both the patient and the physician. The purpose of this article is to present a case of spontaneous globe luxation which occurred with attempted contact lens placement.
Methods. A case report and literature review are presented.
Results. Manual reduction of the globe required conscious sedation in the emergency room. Diffuse superficial punctate keratitis resolved completely with no visual sequelae.
Discussion. The clinical features, epidemiology, risk factors, complications and treatments of globe luxation are presented. Eye care specialists who fit and dispense contact lenses should be aware of risk factors associated with globe luxation. A step-wise plan for management is presented, in hope of limiting patient discomfort, recurrence, and perhaps long-term visual impairment.