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Transient blindness following epidural analgesia
R A Victory1, P Hassett, G Morrison
1Department of Anaesthetics, Cork Regional Hospital, Wilton, Ireland.
Anaesthesia
|November 1, 1991
Summary
Epidural anesthesia for low back pain can lead to serious eye complications. Retinal hemorrhages and vision loss occurred in a patient after an epidural steroid injection.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Epidural injections of steroids and local anesthetics are common treatments for low back pain.
- General anesthesia may be used in conjunction with epidural procedures.
Observation:
- A 43-year-old woman experienced sudden blindness in one eye post-procedure.
- Fundoscopic examination revealed bilateral retinal and vitreous hemorrhages.
Findings:
- The patient's vision loss and hemorrhages were observed after receiving an epidural injection.
- Retinal hemorrhages are a known complication associated with increased intracranial pressure.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential serious ophthalmic complication of epidural anesthesia.
- Increased intracranial pressure, possibly linked to the epidural procedure, may cause retinal hemorrhages.
- Ophthalmologists and anesthesiologists should be aware of this association.