Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Full-Circle Cauterization of Limbal Vascular Plexus for Surgically Induced Glaucoma in Rodents
Published on: February 15, 2022
Release hallucinations and visual loss as first manifestations of postoperative unilateral blindness
J A Montero1, J M Ruiz-Moreno, A Galindo
1Pio del Rio Hortega University Hospital, Ophthalmology Unit, Valladolid, Spain. javmonmor@hotmail.com
Purpose:
Release hallucinations (RH) with insight into the unreality of the hallucination have been reported in association with severe vision loss. Postoperative blindness following nonocular surgery may appear associated with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) caused by incorrect head positioning during surgery, intraoperative hypotension, and atherosclerosis. RH may initially mask the loss of vision.
Methods:
Case report.
Results:
A 27-year-old woman who had undergone lumbar spinal surgery for right L4-L5 discal herniation developed left eye visual loss and complex visual hallucinations immediately after surgery. Her symptoms were initially considered hallucinations related to the anesthesia and not taken into consideration until 4 days later. Ophthalmic examination disclosed CRAO probably caused by ocular compression during surgery. Optic nerve atrophy appeared during the following 6 years.
Conclusions:
Doctors and auxiliary personnel should be aware that visual hallucinations may be a sign of actual vision damage.
More Related Videos
12:23Dynamic Visual Tests to Identify and Quantify Visual Damage and Repair Following Demyelination in Optic Neuritis Patients
Published on: April 14, 2014
13:12Partial Optic Nerve Transection in Rats: A Model Established with a New Operative Approach to Assess Secondary Degeneration of Retinal Ganglion Cells
Published on: October 15, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
Prosopagnosia
Diabetic Retinopathy
Glaucoma: Overview
Visual Agnosia