Orbital Compartment Syndrome as a Complication of Blepharoplasty: A Case Report

Acute vision loss constitutes a true medical emergency, as a delay in diagnosis and treatment may lead to permanent visual impairment. Orbital compartment syndrome is most commonly associated with blunt trauma causing a retro-orbital hematoma and resulting compromise of the optic nerve. Orbital compartment syndrome, however, can occur in other scenarios including status post blepharoplasty.

This is a case of a 67-year-old male who presented less than 24 hours after a bilateral upper blepharoplasty due to decreased visual acuity of his right eye. A lateral canthotomy was performed despite the absence of elevated intraocular pressures on tonometry. He regained visual acuity in his right eye shortly after the cantholysis.

It is vital to consider the range of entities that can cause orbital compartment syndrome, including blepharoplasty. Recognition and emergent intervention improved the visual acuity in this case.