Visual loss after spine surgery: Case report

Abstract

The presence of postoperative visual loss is a well-known complication, and described in various reports, its low incidence (0.028-0.2%) makes it extremely rare. Two main causes have been determined: Posterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy and central Retinal Artery Oclusion. The following is a case report of a 52-year-old patient that presented visual loss after elective spine surgery that had no complications that could initially explain this complication. Studies were performed and evaluations by ophthalmologists determined that the cause of Posterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy due to multiple risk factors that the patient had previously and during the surgery. After 3 year follow-up the patient still has total visual loss and no other complications were reported.