Visual loss as a complication of non-ophthalmic surgery: a review of the literature.

Decreased visual acuity and loss of visual ability are devastating anesthetic and surgical complications. The incidence is greater in patients with preexisting hypertension, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, renal failure, gastrointestinal ulcer, narrow-angle glaucoma, vascular occlusive disease, cardiac disease, arteriosclerosis, polycythemia vera, and collagen vascular disorders. Precipitating factors for ischemic optic neuropathy include prolonged hypotension, anemia, surgery trauma, gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhage, shock, prone position, direct pressure on the globe, and long operative times.

Visual loss as a complication of nonophthalmologic surgery: a review of the literature.

Decreased visual acuity and loss of visual ability are devastating anesthetic and surgical complications. The incidence is greater in patients with preexisting hypertension, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, renal failure, gastrointestinal ulcer, narrow-angle glaucoma, vascular occlusive disease, cardiac disease, arteriosclerosis, polycythemia vera, and collagen vascular disorders. Precipitating factors for ischemic optic neuropathy include prolonged hypotension, anemia, surgery, trauma, gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhage, shock, prone position, direct pressure on the globe, and long operative times.