A patient has a ZMC fracture; what happens to the intraocular pressure?

In cases of zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures, there is often a disruption of the bony framework and soft tissues around the orbit. This can lead to a variety of complications, including changes in intraocular pressure.

The correct answer indicating that intraocular pressure goes down can be attributed to the fact that ZMC fractures may cause a disruption in the normal functioning of the ocular muscles and result in changes to the orbital contents. Additionally, the presence of a fracture can create a pathway for fluid accumulation in the orbital region, which can lead to a decrease in intraocular pressure.

Moreover, the trauma associated with such fractures may also trigger physiological responses that can impact vascular perfusion to the eye, further contributing to lowered pressure. Overall, the relationship between orbital fractures and intraocular pressure is complex, but in the context of ZMC fractures, a reduction in intraocular pressure can be observed due to these mechanisms.