Journal of Clinical Anesthesia
Volume 22, Issue 1 , Pages 52-55, February 2010

Unusual presentation of perioperative ischemic optic neuropathy following major spine surgery

  • Kathleeya N. Stang-Veldhouse, MD, MPH (Resident)

      Affiliations

    • Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
    • ,
  • Elizabeth Yeu, MD (Resident)

      Affiliations

    • Department of Ophthalmology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
    • ,
  • David M. Rothenberg, MD (The Max S. Sadove, MD, Professor of Anesthesiology)

      Affiliations

    • Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1 312 942 6504; fax: +1 312 942 8858.
    • ,
  • Thomas R. Mizen, MD (Associate Professor)

      Affiliations

    • Department of Ophthalmology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA

Received 8 August 2008; received in revised form 8 January 2009; accepted 13 January 2009.

Abstract 

Perioperative visual loss following spinal surgery has become of increasing concern among anesthesiologists, surgeons, and patients alike. Perioperative ischemic optic neuropathy often occurs in patients greater than 50 years of age, in association with a number of presumed risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, small cup-to-disc ratio, preoperative anemia, intraoperative hypotension, prolonged operative time in the prone position, and significant blood loss during surgery. The visual loss is notably devastating, and generally leads to permanent disability. A 44-year-old man whose central visual acuity was completely preserved is presented.

Keywords: Blindness after surgery, Perioperative ischemic optic neuropathy, Perioperative visual loss, Spine surgery

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PII: S0952-8180(09)00336-5

doi:10.1016/j.jclinane.2009.01.018

Journal of Clinical Anesthesia
Volume 22, Issue 1 , Pages 52-55, February 2010

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