Simultaneous Bilateral Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy and Unilateral Central Retinal Artery Occlusion after Hip Prosthesis Surgery

Abstract

Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) results from the ischaemia of the anterior part of the optic nerve. Postoperative NAION is especially related to spinal surgeries, cardiovascular surgeries, and head-neck surgical procedures. This paper reports a rare case with simultaneous bilateral NAION and unilateral central retinal artery occlusion after hip prosthesis surgery. A 63-year-old woman had sudden visual loss in both eyes after hip prosthesis surgery. Fundus examination revealed bilateral optic disc oedema and macular paleness, and dot-blot haemorrhage around the optic disc suggesting central retinal artery occlusion in the left eye. Sudden simultaneous loss of vision may appear after non-ocular surgical procedures. In this case, anaemia due to excessive blood loss and prolonged hypotension during hip prosthesis surgery was the probable cause of anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy and unilateral central retinal artery occlusion.

• Anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy
• hip prosthesis surgery
• perioperative bilateral vision loss

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

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