Central Retinal Artery Occlusion after Rhinoplasty Surgery: A Case Report and Literature Review

This study was aimed at reporting a case of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) after rhinoplasty. Case Report. Unilateral blindness occurred in a 22-year-old woman after rhinoplasty with a history of transient visual loss due to migraine aura and vasospasm. The physical examination of the patient revealed a visual acuity of no light perception in the right eye, a 4⁺ relative afferent pupillary defect, disc swelling, cherry-red spot in the macula, and ischemic retina in the right eye. Based on the diagnosis of CRAO, the patient underwent anterior chamber paracentesis (AC tap) along with treatment with mannitol and intravenous hydrocortisone. Visual acuity improved to 1/10 after a two-month follow-up.

Taking history is very important in rhinoplasty surgery, and vasoconstrictors should be limited in the patients with a suspected history of vasospasm.