Summary
A case is reported of transient unilateral blindness following general anaesthesia with a face mask. The most likely explanation for this is central retinal artery occlusion, either partial or complete, due to excessive pressure from the mask exerted on the globe. This pressure may be increased with the use of neoprene head straps as opposed to the more flexible and elastic rubber straps. Pressure from the strap over the carotid artery may be a factor in reducing the central retinal arterial pressure, thus making it more susceptible to occlusion by mask pressure.
Résumé
Les auteurs rapportent un épisode de cécité transitoire affectant ľun des yeux à la suite ďune anesthésie générate au masque. Ľexplication la plus plausible de cette complication est une occlusion partielle ou totale de ľartère centrale de la rétine, secondaire à une compression excessive du globe oculaire par le masque. Les courroies de néoprène sont plus susceptibles de permettre la fixation du masque avec une pression excessive que celles de caoutchouc. De plus, une courroie peut comprimer une artère carotide au niveau du cou avec diminution de la pression dans ľartère rétinienne.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Goldsmith, M.O. Occlusion of the central retinal artery following retrobulbar hemorrhage. Ophthalmologica155(3): 191 (1967).
Arbus, L., Fabre, J., Bechac, G., &Lazorthes, Y. Clinical, ophthalmoscopic and biologic findings in systemic fat embolism. Acta Neurochir. (Wien)29(1): 89 (1973).
Snow, J.C., Kripke, F.J., Norton, M.L., Chandra, P., &Woodcome, H.A. Corneal injuries during general anaesthesia. Anesth. Analg.54(4): 465 (1975).
Hollenhorst, R.W., Svien, H.J., &Benoit, C. Unilateral blindness occurring during anaesthesia for neurosurgical operations. Arch. Ophth.52: 819 (1954).
Givner, I. &Jaffe, N.S. Occlusion of the central retinal artery following anaesthesia. Arch. Ophth.43: 197 (1950).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Munn, K.A., Williams, R.T. & Shafto, C.M. Transient unilateral blindness following general anaesthesia: case report. Canad. Anaesth. Soc. J. 25, 433–435 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03006577
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03006577