A Case Report on Acute Visual Loss With Ophthalmoplegia Following Spine Surgery.

Postoperative vision loss is an unusual but serious side effect that can occur after nonocular surgeries, particularly those involving the heart or spine. Various causes, including ischemic optic neuropathy, central retinal artery occlusion, central retinal vein occlusion, and ischemic orbital compartment syndrome, can cause this condition. Here, we present a case of a 28-year-old male patient who underwent spine surgery for cervicodorsal spine injury and experienced sudden, painless vision loss in his left eye following the surgery. On examination, his right eye had a bedside vision of >3/60, while his left eye could only perceive light. The patient's left eye showed mild axial proptosis, supraorbital edema, conjunctival congestion, chemosis, relative afferent papillary defect, and restricted eye movements in all gazes. Fundus examination of the left eye showed pale retina, optic disc pallor, severely attenuated retinal vessels, and an absent cherry red spot suggesting ophthalmic artery occlusion. The right eye anterior segment and fundus findings were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and orbit showed mild preseptal thickening in the left orbit, and magnetic resonance venography was normal. This case report is noteworthy in that an ophthalmic artery occlusion has been identified as the cause of sudden, unilateral, painless vision loss associated with ophthalmoplegia subsequent to a spinal surgical procedure.

Retina-Brain Homology: The Correlation Between Ophthalmic or Retinal Artery Occlusion and Ischemic Stroke.

The retina's similar structure and function to the brain make it a unique visual "window" for studying cerebral disorders. Ophthalmic artery occlusion (OAO) or retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is a severe ophthalmic emergency that significantly affects visual acuity. Studies have demonstrated that patients with OAO or RAO face a notably higher risk of future acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, ophthalmologists often overlook multidisciplinary approach involving the neurologist, to evaluate the risk of AIS and devise clinical treatment strategies for patients with OAO or RAO. Unlike the successful use of thrombolysis in AIS, the application of thrombolysis for OAO or RAO remains limited and controversial due to insufficient reliable evidence. In this review, we aim to summarize the anatomical and functional connections between the retina and the brain, and the clinical connection between OAO or RAO and AIS, compare and review recent advances in the effectiveness and safety of intravenous and intra-arterial thrombolysis therapy in patients with OAO or RAO, and discuss future research directions for OAO or RAO. Our goal is to advance the development of multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment strategies for the disease, as well as to establish expedited pathways or thrombolysis guidelines for vascular intervention.

Phthisical eye and orbital ischemia after cosmetic platelet-rich plasma injection to the forehead.

Purpose: To report a case of retrograde embolism of cosmetic injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to the ophthalmic artery, resulting in orbital ischemia, blindness, and eventual phthisis bulbi. Observations: A 37-year-old woman presented with two days of vision loss OS beginning seconds after undergoing cosmetic PRP filler injections to the face at an outside clinic. Immediately after injection to the left medial forehead, the patient reported bleeding, transient loss of consciousness, and complete vision loss OS. Two days later, vision remained no light perception OS and she exhibited manifestations of both anterior and posterior segment ischemia in the left eye. These findings were ultimately attributed to retrograde embolism to the ophthalmic artery via inadvertent injection of PRP into the supratrochlear or supraorbital arteries. She ultimately did not regain her vision in the left eye and the eye became enophthalmic and phthisical. Conclusions: After conducting a literature review on August 18, 2023, utilizing PubMed and Google Scholar, and searching for the key words "platelet-rich plasma" and "vision loss" or "vision impairment," we did not find any prior reports of anterior segment ischemia or pan-orbital ischemia resulting in phthisis bulbi. In the setting of vision changes after cosmetic platelet-rich plasma filler injection. Additionally, there is no validated therapy for ophthalmic artery occlusion from any cosmetic filler embolism. Further research should prioritize developing therapeutic guidelines for managing such complications. Injectors should also be educated to emergently refer patients to hospitals with ophthalmology consults available and stroke protocols in place.

Monocular Vision Loss After Ear Filler Injection.

Ophthalmic artery occlusion caused by facial hyaluronic acid filler injection has always been a rare but devastating complication. With the pursuit of beauty, people have become more interested in ears and hyaluronic acid fillers. Herein, we report the case of a more serious rare complication of ophthalmic artery occlusion caused by ear filler injection. A 45-year-old woman developed vision loss on the left side immediately after receiving cosmetic hyaluronic acid injection in the ear, with only the visual field at the inferior temporal side remaining. She was diagnosed with central retinal artery occlusion in the left eye. After treatment with hyaluronidase injection, dexamethasone, hyperbaric oxygen, and oral alprostadil, blood flow was partially restored in the left ophthalmic artery, and her vision improved. Vascular complications after ear injections are rare. However, as the demand for ear filler injections increases, the probability of serious vascular complications is predicted to increase. The potential mechanism by which occlusion occurred involved the filler reaching the superficial temporal artery system through the superior auricular artery, thus occluding the ophthalmic artery. Having an understanding of anatomy is an important measure to avoid complications.Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Progressive Central Artery Occlusion, Ophthalmic Artery Occlusion, and Hemispheric Intracranial Thrombosis after COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Application: Case Report.

Thromboembolic events as a result of COVID-19 mRNA vaccination are a rare, though life-threatening complication. In this case report, we describe a 40-year-old female patient who developed central retinal artery and ophthalmic artery occlusion progressing to intracranial thrombosis 3 weeks after vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Initially, she presented with progressive acute and painless unilateral vision loss in her left eye. Dilated fundoscopy of left eye showed macular whitening with sparing of the area of cilioretinal artery distribution. Labs revealed a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and platelet count. Computerized tomography angiography of the head and neck showed an occlusion of the entire left cervical internal carotid artery and occlusion of the origin of the left external carotid artery. Despite treatment with heparin, her vision declined to no light perception. Ten days later, the patient presented with right peripheral vision loss and was found to have a new left posterior cerebral artery/posterior inferior cerebellar artery stroke. Seventeen days later, she presented to the hospital with nausea and vertigo and was found to have a subacute infarction in the left parietal lobe corresponding to left anterior communicating artery/middle cerebral artery watershed territory. Hypercoagulable disorders, vasculitis, cardiac arrhythmias, and intraventricular thrombi were excluded. Fundus fluorescein angiography confirmed central retinal artery occlusion and ophthalmic artery occlusion with impressive retina and choroid changes in fluorescein angiography patterns. This complication of mRNA COVID-19 vaccination has not been previously described in the literature and should be considered even weeks after initial presentation.

Iatrogenic ophthalmic artery occlusion after platelet-rich plasma dermal filler documented with ultra-widefield imaging.

PURPOSE: To report a case of iatrogenic ophthalmic artery occlusion (OAO) secondary to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) dermal filler injection for facial rejuvenation documented with ultra-widefield imaging. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 45-year-old woman developed a sudden and painful vision loss in the left eye (LE) after a dermal filler injection of PRP in the left glabellar region. She immediately received intravenous corticosteroids with no improvements. Two weeks later a complete ophthalmological examination including visual acuity (VA), fundus examination, ultra-widefield fundus autofluorescence and fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography was performed. A diagnosis of iatrogenic OAO in the LE with profound ocular ischemia was made and VA remained no light perception. Monthly follow-up visits were scheduled to ascertain the onset of any ocular complication. CONCLUSIONS: Dermal filler injections of PRP can lead to rare but devastating side effects with permanent visual loss. Considering that there is currently no validated treatment strategy, prevention could be the real key of iatrogenic OAO management.

Ophthalmic artery occlusion following n-butyl cyanoacrylate embolization of an orbital arteriovenous malformation.

A 33-year-old pregnant woman presented with six months of right-sided proptosis. Neuroimaging revealed a right orbital arteriovenous malformation arising from the second segment of the ophthalmic artery. As she was 9 weeks pregnant, the decision was made to monitor her closely. Over the following six months, her proptosis progressed, accompanied by decreased visual acuity, afferent pupillary defect, and red desaturation concerning for compressive optic neuropathy. After planned c-section, she underwent embolization with n-butyl cyanoacrylate. Upon awakening after embolization, she had no light perception vision from her right eye and was found to have ophthalmic artery obstruction. She ultimately developed a blind painful right eye and underwent enucleation with histopathology demonstrating glue in the central retinal artery, posterior ciliary arteries, and choroid. This case highlights ophthalmic artery occlusion as a rare complication of orbital arteriovenous malformation embolization and demonstrates correlating histopathological findings, which have not previously been reported.

Relationship between age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index and ischemic stroke in patients with ophthalmic artery occlusion or retinal artery occlusion / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To investigate the relationship between age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (aCCI) and ischemic stroke in patients with ophthalmic artery occlusion (OAO) or retinal artery occlusion (RAO).Methods:A single center retrospective cohort study. Seventy-four patients with OAO or RAO diagnosed by ophthalmology examination in Shenzhen Second People's Hospital from June 2004 to December 2020 were included in the study. The baseline information of patients were collected and aCCI was used to score the patients' comorbidity. The outcome was ischemic stroke. The median duration of follow-up was 1 796.5 days. According to the maximum likelihood ratio of the two-piecewise COX regression model and the recursive algorithm, the aCCI inflection point value was determined to be 6, and the patients were divided into low aCCI group (<6 points) and high aCCI group (≥6 points). A Cox regression model was used to quantify the association between baseline aCCI and ischemic stroke.Results:Among the 74 patients, 53 were males and 21 were females, with the mean age of (55.22±14.18) (19-84) years. There were 9 patients of OAO and 65 patients of RAO. The aCCI value ranges from 1 to 10 points, with a median of 3 points. There were 63 patients (85.14%, 63/74) in the low aCCI group and 11 patients (14.86%, 11/74) in the high aCCI group. Since 2 patients could not determine the time from baseline to the occurrence of outcome events, 72 patients were included for Cox regression analysis. The results showed that 16 patients (22.22%, 16/72) had ischemic stroke in the future. The baseline aCCI in the low aCCI group was significantly associated with ischemic stroke [hazard ratio ( HR)=1.76, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.21-2.56, P=0.003], and for every 1 point increase in baseline aCCI, the risk of future ischemic stroke increased by 76% on average. The baseline aCCI in the high aCCI group had no significant correlation with the ischemic stroke ( HR=0.66, 95% CI 0.33-1.33, P=0.247). Conclusions:aCCI score is an important prognostic information for patients with OAO or RAO. A higher baseline aCCI score predicts a higher risk of ischemic stroke, and the association has a saturation effect.

Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Vision-Threatening Rhino-Orbital Cerebral Mucor Mycosis-A Prospective Analysis.

Rhino-orbital cerebral mucor mycosis is a rare disease entity, where retinal involvement is described in the literature mostly as CRAO. However, pathological studies have shown mucor invading the choroid and retina with a neutrophilic reaction. So, it is pertinent that retinal inflammation secondary to invading mucor has some role in microstructural changes seen in the vitreous and retina of these patients. This novel study aims to describe the vitreal and retinal features of patients with vision-threatening rhino-orbital cerebral mucor mycosis and how they evolve on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). This study shall also provide insight into the pathophysiology of these vitreoretinal manifestations by in vitro analysis of the exenterated orbital content. Fifteen eyes of fifteen patients with vision-threatening ROCM treated with standard care were enrolled in this study and underwent complete ophthalmic examination, serial colour fundus photography, and SD-OCT for both qualitative and quantitative analysis, at baseline and follow-up visits. SD-OCT on serial follow-up revealed thickening and increased inner-retinal reflectivity at presentation followed by thinning of both, other features such as the loss of the inner-retinal organized layer structure, external limiting membrane (ELM) disruption, necrotic spaces in the outer retina, and hyperreflective foci. Vitreous cells with vitreous haze were also seen. There was a significant reduction in CMT, inner and outer retinal thickness, total retinal thickness (all p < 0.05) with time, the quantum of reduction concentrated primarily to the inner retina. In summary, in vivo and in vitro analysis revealed that early microstructural changes were primarily a result of retinal infarctions secondary to thrombotic angioinvasion. With the late microstructural changes, there was possible sequelae of retinal infarction with some contribution from the inflammation, resulting from mucor invading the choroid and retina.

A new injury severity scale for ocular complications following cosmetic filler injection.

BACKGROUND: Cosmetic filler injection can cause a variety of eye complications; however, there is currently no good way to evaluate injury severity and prognosis. By analyzing the injury manifestations of severe ocular complications following cosmetic filler injection and their prognosis, we propose a new injury severity scale. METHODS: Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients experiencing ocular complications following cosmetic filler injection were followed for 6 months to observe injury characteristics, manifestations and prognosis. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), split lamp microscopy, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fundus fluorescein angiography were examined at the onset and follow-up visits. RESULTS: According to the immediate BCVA at the time of injury (with the presence or absence of brain infarction), a new injury severity scale was proposed, namely, Grades 1-4. Grade 1 (4 patients) and Grade 2 (2 patients) tended to have no atrophy of the globe. Grade 3 (12 patients) and Grade 4 (4 patients) were more likely to develop atrophy of the globe (4/12 patients and 2/4 patients, respectively) at the last follow-up. Grade 3 and Grade 4 were more likely to be complicated with ophthalmoplegia and ptosis (7/16 patients). CONCLUSIONS: The new injury severity scale we proposed can determine the prognosis of different ocular complications following cosmetic filler injection. Accordingly, we can inform injured patients regarding the possibility of phthisis bulbi and the extent of improvement of visual impairment, ophthalmoplegia, ptosis and stroke.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa orbital cellulitis complicated by ophthalmic artery occlusion in an immunocompetent patient: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: We described a case of a pseudomonas aeruginosa subperiosteal abscess in a healthy adult, complicated by ophthalmic artery occlusion. CASE PRESENTATION: A 41-year-old woman presented with the chief complaint of a severe painful left eyelid. The visual acuity was limited to light perception. Fundus examiantion showed diffuse retinal edema, papillary swelling and whitened retinal vessels without cherry-red spot. Multimodal imaging confirmed the diagnosis of ophthalmic artery occlusion. Computed tomography study was performed and objectified a pansinusitis complicated by left orbital cellulitis and a 7.4mm × 29.8 mm subperiosteal abscess (SPA). In addition to intravenous antibiotics, surgical drainage of the SPA was performed. The bacterial culture of the abscess has shown growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and laboratories studies did not find any cause of immunodeficiency. Although medical and surgical treatment, the retinal damage was irreversible with visual acuity limited to light perception. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The developing of a subperiosteal abscess (SPA) of the orbit is a serious complication that arises usually from bacterial sinusitis and can lead to sight threatening complications. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is not common in healthy adults. An early diagnosis and an adequate treatment are important for the visual prognosis. CONCLUSION: Orbital cellulitis should be diagnosed and treated promptly, even in healthy people, to improve visual prognosis.

Ophthalmic artery occlusion due to orbital compartment syndrome after a frontotemporal craniotomy.

A 32-year-old female with a right frontal lobe glioma underwent an elective frontotemporal craniotomy. One hour postoperatively, the patient developed a right orbital compartment syndrome (OCS) with unilateral acute vision loss, proptosis, afferent pupillary defect, and complete ophthalmoplegia. The patient underwent emergent lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis. Neuroimaging revealed extensive vascular congestion along the extraocular muscles at the orbital apex. Retinal imaging demonstrated an ophthalmic artery occlusion. OCS following a frontal or frontotemporal craniotomy relates to increased orbital venous congestion from direct compression of the myocutaneous flap and subsequent intraorbital pressure elevation, vascular compromise, and ocular ischemia.

The clinical spectrum of periorbital vascular complications after facial injection.

BACKGROUND: Serious complications due to periorbital vascular occlusion can occur after facial injections, including skin necrosis, ophthalmoplegia, blepharoptosis, and visual loss. Visual loss after facial filler injection is particularly rare, but it is known to have a poor prognosis despite treatment. AIMS: This study aimed to describe the prognosis and various clinical features of periorbital vascular complications after facial injection of cosmetic filler or local anesthetic. PATIENTS/METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included 10 consecutive patients who presented with occluded periorbital vessels after facial injection. RESULTS: Nine patients were injected with cosmetic facial fillers: seven with hyaluronic acid, one with collagen, and one with poly-Llactic acid. The other patient was injected with lidocaine mixed with epinephrine. Injection sites included the glabella (n = 5), nasal dorsum (n = 4), and temporal fossa (n = 1). Presumed arteries affected included the central (n = 2) or branch (n = 3) retinal artery, ophthalmic artery (n = 4), and angular artery (n = 1). Nine patients (90%) had purpura and blisters, and eight patients (80%) had ophthalmoplegia at presentation, but all of them recovered within 3 months. Six patients (60%) were blind at the last follow-up, and five of them had occlusion of the central retinal artery or ophthalmic artery. There was a patient with sequelae of phthisis bulbi, which was cosmetically managed with retrobulbar filler injections. CONCLUSION: Facial injections can cause periorbital arterial occlusion, and the clinical features are diverse according to the site and extent of vascular occlusion and injection materials. Visual prognosis was associated with the site of vascular occlusion and initial visual acuity. Other common complications, such as skin lesions, blepharoptosis, and limited extraocular movement, can fully resolve only with supportive treatments in most cases.

Visual loss from dermal fillers.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of people are undergoing non-surgical aesthetic procedures, especially injections of botulinum toxin and dermal fillers. While toxin injections have lower rates of complications, profound and serious consequences can arise with the use of dermal fillers. CASE: A 29-year-old woman presented to the eye casualty department with sudden visual loss, ptosis and ophthalmoplegia after having had non-surgical rhinoplasty in a beauty salon in West London. The filler was administered by a healthcare professional not registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) or similar governing body. DISCUSSION: Despite prompt measures on arrival at our service, the symptoms of visual loss, ptosis and ophthalmoplegia persisted. Attempts from the patient and medical services to report the incident (to trading standards and the police) were to no avail. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the poor treatment response to filler-related ophthalmic complications. It is also evident that in the United Kingdom, there appears to be poor regulation in the use of these products, a lack of clear guidelines for the management of their complications and finally no recourse for patients to challenge practitioners who lack medical registration and are not held accountable.

Visual Loss after Platelet-rich Plasma Injection into the Face.

Platelet-rich plasma has become one of the most widely used facial cosmetics fillers. We evaluated four patients treated by cosmetologists with platelet-rich plasma injections who developed irreversible blindness due to iatrogenic occlusion of the ophthalmic artery; immediately after the injection in the glabellar area in three cases and in the nasolabial fold in one case. Early after the injections the fundi of all patients demonstrated central retinal artery and choroidal occlusions. Later, two patients developed retinal pigment dispersion and one of them a pigmented optic disc. The scars on the skin showed similar characteristics in all patients, which could constitute an important marker in the presumptive diagnosis of platelet-rich plasma injection associated complications.

Acute ophthalmic artery occlusion in a COVID-19 patient on apixaban.

We report a case of ophthalmic artery occlusion (OAO) in a young patient with COVID-19 infection that was on therapeutic anticoagulation with apixaban for deep venous thrombosis (DVT). A 48-year-old man with obesity was hospitalized with a severe form of COVID-19 infection, complicated with acute respiratory failure, septic shock, dilated cardiomyopathy and fungemia. Despite treatment with prophylactic enoxaparin (initial D-Dimer 1.14 µg/ml FEU (normal < 0.05 µg/ml FEU), D-Dimer increased to above 20 µg/ml FEU and patient continued to spike high fevers. This prompted further investigations and upper and lower extremities DVTs were confirmed and managed with enoxaparin 1 mg/kg twice daily. D-dimer level decreased to 4.98 µg/ml FEU while on therapeutic anticoagulation. Three weeks later pending hospital discharge, the anticoagulation was switched to oral apixaban 10 mg twice daily. Patient developed acute severe right eye visual loss of no light perception and was diagnosed with incomplete OAO. D-Dimer was elevated at 2.13 µg/ml FEU. Stroke etiological work-up found no embolic sources, resolution of the dilated cardiomyopathy and negative antiphospholipid antibodies. Treatment was changed to enoxaparin and no thrombotic events were encountered to date. Ocular vascular complications have not yet been reported in COVID-19. Controversy exists on the best management algorithm for the hypercoagulable state associated to COVID-19 Either direct oral anticoagulants or low-molecular-weight-heparin are considered appropriate at discharge for patients with venous thromboembolism. The optimum regimen for ischemic stroke prevention and the significance of D-Dimer for anticoagulation monitoring in COVID-19 remain unclear.

Essential thrombocythemia manifesting as ophthalmic artery occlusion.

PURPOSE: To report the first case of a patient with essential thrombocythemia (ET) who presented with unilaterally extensive choroidal ischemia coinciding with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO).Observations: A 64-year-old man presented with a classic sign of short posterior ciliary artery (SPCA) occlusion, Amalric triangular choroidal infarction, coinciding with CRAO in the left eye. He was later diagnosed as having ET due to a massive platelet count of 1,100,000 cells/mm3 and confirmed genetic testing. The magnetic resonance angiogram subsequently revealed severe occlusions of neuro-ophthalmic circulation. Interestingly, occult choriocapillaris occlusions were detected in the right eye despite being visually asymptomatic. CONCLUSION AND IMPORTANCE: Patients with ET can present with concurrent CRAO and SPCA occlusion. Identifying the causes of such events is crucial as these can precede systemic thrombocytosis or hemorrhagic complications.