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Review
. 2009 Dec;103 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):i31-40.
doi: 10.1093/bja/aep295.

Perioperative visual loss: what do we know, what can we do?

S Roth  1
Affiliations
Review

Perioperative visual loss: what do we know, what can we do?

S Roth. Br J Anaesth. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

Perioperative visual loss (POVL), a rare, but devastating complication, can follow non-ocular surgery. Highest rates of visual loss are with cardiac and spine surgery. The main causes of visual loss after non-ocular surgery are retinal vascular occlusion and ischaemic optic neuropathy. This review updates readers on the incidence, suspected risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of POVL due to these conditions.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Origin, course, and branches of the ophthalmic artery, including the posterior ciliary arteries, seen from above. Ant. sup. hyp. art., anterior superior hypophyseal artery; CAR, central retinal artery; Col. Br., collateral branches; CZ, circle of Zinn and Haller; ICA, internal carotid artery; LPCA, lateral posterior ciliary artery; MPCA, medial posterior ciliary artery; OA, ophthalmic artery; Rec. br., recurring branches. Figure reproduced with permission from Hayreh SS. ‘The central artery of the retina. Its role in the blood supply of the optic nerve.’ Br J Ophthalmol 1963; 47: 651–63 (later reproduced in Pillanut and colleagues).
Fig 2
Fig 2
Mechanisms of retinal ischaemia. Modified with permission from Roth.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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