APR 07, 2013
Vasospasm and Visual Loss after Orbital Decompression
By Mark L. Mazow, MD
Subspecialty Day 2012: Oculofacial Plastic Surgery
Oculoplastics/Orbit
In this presentation from the 2012 Annual Meeting, Dr. Mark Mazow illustrates a case of visual loss 5 days following orbital decompression secondary to presumed vasospasm. Most cases of visual loss after orbital decompression occur in the immediate postoperative period, many due to ischemic loss to the optic nerve or direct trauma to the optic nerve during decompression. Hematoma is also a possibility. The presumed cause of visual loss in this patient was nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) secondary to vasospasm possibly caused by postural changes in the early postoperative period.