Postoperative visual loss following prone spinal surgery

Abstract

Postoperative visual loss is a rare but disastrous complication that has an estimated incidence of 0.01-1% after non-ocular surgery. We report a patient who underwent a prolonged spinal operation in the prone position and complained of blindness in one eye postoperatively. We consider the potential aetiological factors contributing to this unilateral postoperative visual loss and suggest strategies to reduce the incidence of this complication in spinal surgery. © The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia 2005. All rights reserved.