Sudden Visual Loss After Vitreoretinal Surgery: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Vitreoretinal surgery, including vitrectomy, is a common procedure for retinal detachment.
• Systemic complications, though rare, can occur postoperatively.

Observation:

• A 51-year-old male developed a central scotoma in the operated eye the day after vitrectomy.
• Fundus examination revealed retinal hemorrhages and whitening along the papillomacular bundle and macula.

Findings:

• Multimodal imaging confirmed multiple retinal vascular occlusions: branch retinal vein, artery, and cilioretinal artery occlusion.
• The patient was subsequently diagnosed with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Implications:

• Retinal vascular occlusions are potential, albeit uncommon, complications of vitreoretinal surgery.
• Thorough preoperative assessment for underlying risk factors, such as obstructive sleep apnea, is essential.
• The exact causative mechanism linking surgery to these occlusions requires further investigation.