Arch Ophthalmol Chic
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To assess possible causes of visual field loss following vitreous surgery. ⋯ Central or peripheral visual field loss can now be recognized as a possible complication of vitreous surgery. In some cases, a relative afferent pupillary defect and optic disc pallor are present, suggesting that the optic nerve is the site of injury. Possible mechanisms include ischemia due to elevated IOP or fluctuations in IOP, optic nerve damage from retrobulbar injection, direct intraoperative mechanical trauma to the optic nerve, indirect injury from vigorous suction near the optic nerve leading to shearing of peripapillary axons or vessels, or a combination of these. Certain optic nerves may be more susceptible to injury because of preexisting compromise from glaucoma or vascular disease.