title: Visual loss following dacryocystectomy.
abstract: Dacryocystectomy is the surgery of choice for elderly patients with chronic dacryocystitis with a fibrotic sac. Although a simple procedure, it can cause serious complications (however rare) such as visual impairment. A 65-year-old woman who underwent bilateral dacryocystectomy is described. On the first postoperative day, she complained of pain in her left eye. Her visual acuity was light perception in the left eye. Computed tomography scan of the orbit revealed a retrobulbar hematoma on the left eye. The hematoma was drained, but the patient did not regain vision. A rare complication of visual loss following dacryocystectomy is described.
authors.affiliation: O. E. U. Institute of Ophthanlmology, Kasturba Medical College, Mainpal, Karnataka State, India.
authors.forename: Vijaya H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: Doms Krishna A
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Sulatha V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Bhandary
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001766:Blindness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003607:Dacryocystitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009301:Nasolacrimal Duct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019315:Retrobulbar Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed