Visual loss in one eye after spinal surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To report a patient who developed an unusual combination of central retinal artery occlusion with ophthalmoplegia following spinal surgery in the prone position.


METHODS
A 60-year-old man underwent a cervical spinal surgery in the prone position. Soon after recovery he could not open his right eye and had ocular pain due to the general anesthesia. Upon examination, we determined that he had a central retinal artery occlusion with total ophthalmoplegia.


RESULTS
Despite medical treatment, optic atrophy was still present at the following examination. Ptosis and the afferent pupillary defect disappeared and ocular motility was recovered, but visual loss persisted until the last follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
A prolonged prone position during spinal surgery can cause external compression of the eye, causing serious and irreversible injury to the orbital structures. Therefore, if the patient shows postoperative signs of orbital swelling after spinal surgery the condition should be immediately evaluated and treated.
Chung
Min-Su
MS
Department of Ophthalmology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Son
Jun-Hyuk
JH
D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D009886:Ophthalmoplegia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D015356:Retinal Artery Occlusion / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014792:Visual Acuity