Delayed Onset Anton-Babinski Syndrome following Post-Hypoxic Cortical Injury: A Case Report

Delayed post-hypoxic cortical blindness is a rare but clinically significant condition that can manifest days or weeks following a hypoxic event, such as cardiac arrest. During these events, the brain is deprived of oxygen and glucose, leading to selective vulnerability in metabolically active regions, particularly the occipital lobes. Although initial resuscitation may restore spontaneous circulation, secondary injury mechanisms can contribute to delayed and progressive neurological damage. Here, a case of Anton-Babinski syndrome manifesting as sudden cortical blindness and profound anosognosia following successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation was reported. Despite undeniable visual loss confirmed by bilateral occipital ischemia on neuroimaging, the patient insisted she could see and provided confabulatory descriptions, highlighting a rare and intriguing complication of post-hypoxic injury. This case provides a unique perspective to the limited literature on Anton-Babinski syndrome, highlighting the critical importance of early recognition and comprehensive evaluation in uncovering rare and elusive post-hypoxic complications.