PURPOSE:

To report the association between bilateral posterior ischemic optic neuropathy and spinal surgery.

METHOD:

Case report.

RESULTS:

After prone-position spinal surgery of 8 hours' duration, a 68-year-old woman was completely blind in both eyes. Moderate periorbital edema and temporal conjunctival chemosis were present bilaterally. Ophthalmic examination disclosed normal-appearing optic nerve heads, except for bilateral nasal fullness related to bilateral optic nerve drusen, and no retinal edema. Immediate cerebral arteriography, magnetic resonance imaging, and electroretinography were normal. Visual-evoked response was not detectable, and 7 weeks later, severe bilateral optic nerve head pallor developed.

CONCLUSIONS:

Severe selective hypoperfusion of the retrobulbar optic nerves may occur after spinal surgery. Pressure to the periorbital region may be a contributing factor.