Postoperative Visual Loss of Non-Ocular Surgery

Postoperative visual loss (POVL) is a rare complication of surgery. The spectrum of disability from POVL can range between transient blurring of vision, to permanent visual loss. Permanent POVL are most commonly attributed to central retinal artery occlusion, ischemic optic neuropathy, and cerebral vision loss, whilst other postoperative ocular injury can include corneal abrasion, which may or may not be associated with visual loss. The underlying mechanisms of POVL (postoperative visual loss) are not always fully understood, but it can arise from damage at any point along the visual pathway, from the cornea to the occipital lobe. The incidence for temporary POVL and permanent POVL of non-ocular procedures are 5.4 per 10,000 and 0.16 per 10,000 respectively, with the most prevalent cases occurring post cardiac surgery and spinal fusion.