Laughter-Induced Transient Vision Loss in a Patient With Silent Sinus Syndrome

Abstract

Background: To report a patient with silent sinus syndrome (SSS) who experienced transient ipsilateral monocular vision loss during intense laughter. Methods: Case report. Results: Our patient's transient vision loss completely resolved after maxillary sinus decompression and during 7 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Although the precise mechanism of our patient's vision loss remains undetermined, we suspect that the vascular supply to the eye and/or the optic nerve was compromised as the result of the combination of laughter (causing Valsalva maneuver and increased intrathoracic pressure) and SSS.