Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
-
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Sep 1989
Case ReportsBlindness and intranasal endoscopic ethmoidectomy: prevention and management.
Blindness is one of the major complications that can occur during and after intranasal ethmoidectomy. Two mechanisms for blindness are apparent: (1) direct injury to the optic nerve and (2) retrobulbar (orbital) hematoma, which increases orbital pressure and compromises vascular supply and drainage to and from the eye. ⋯ Case studies will be used to illustrate methods for prevention and management of blindness. If treated aggressively, blindness associated with retrobulbar hematoma can be reversed medically.