Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
10:14
Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Published on: May 26, 2023
[Young patient with acute monolateral amaurosis].
1Augenklinik[Symbol: see text]der[Symbol: see text]LMU, Klinikum[Symbol: see text]der Universität München, Campus[Symbol: see text]Innenstadt, Mathildenstr.[Symbol: see text]8, 80336, München, Deutschland, Johann.Rueping@med.uni-muenchen.de.
Summary
An infected Onodi cell caused acute vision loss in a patient due to optic nerve compression. Surgical decompression of the ethmoidal cell infection did not restore vision.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- Acute visual loss can have various causes, including neurological and ophthalmological conditions.
- The Onodi cell, a posterior ethmoidal air cell, can extend into the optic canal.
- Compression of the optic nerve can lead to significant visual impairment.
Observation:
- A 39-year-old patient experienced sudden, severe visual loss in the left eye.
- Initial examinations were normal, but MRI revealed optic canal narrowing.
- The narrowing was caused by a posteriorly displaced ethmoidal cell (Onodi cell) compressing the optic nerve.
Findings:
- Endonasal ethmoidectomy was performed to decompress the infected Onodi cell.
- Microbiological analysis identified Haemophilus influenzae as the causative agent.
- Despite prompt surgical intervention, vision could not be restored.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for Onodi cells to cause optic nerve compression and vision loss.
- Early diagnosis and surgical decompression are crucial, though visual recovery is not guaranteed.
- Infection of the Onodi cell is a rare but serious complication requiring multidisciplinary management.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Visual Agnosia
Visual agnosia is a condition characterized by the inability to recognize visually presented objects despite having normal vision. For instance, a person with visual agnosia can describe the shape and color of an object but cannot identify or name it. This impairment does not affect their visual field, acuity, color vision, brightness discrimination, language, or memory. An example of this condition in a social setting is someone at a dinner party asking for "that silver thing with a round end"...
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
01:24Prosopagnosia
Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, is the inability to recognize faces. In severe cases, individuals with prosopagnosia may not recognize close family members, including parents and spouses, by their faces. For instance, someone with prosopagnosia might walk past their child in a crowd, only realizing their mistake upon noticing their child's distinctive backpack or favorite jacket. Prosopagnosia specifically impairs facial recognition, while the recognition of other objects or...
01:27Diabetic Retinopathy
DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...