Faculty Collaboration Database

Mechanisms of visual loss in severe proptosis. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg 1991;7(4):256-60

Date

01/01/1991

Pubmed ID

1764422

DOI

10.1097/00002341-199112000-00004

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0025885743 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   41 Citations

Abstract

Vision loss in orbital hypertension secondary to sudden space-occupying lesions is usually attributed to one of three causes: central retinal artery occlusion, direct compressive optic neuropathy, or compression of optic nerve vasculature. Accepted modes of decompressive therapy include lateral canthotomy and cantholysis; drainage of localized orbital air, hematoma, or abscess; and bony wall decompression. Five cases are presented in which orbital hypertension caused severe proptosis with traction on the optic nerve and tenting of the posterior globe. Another mechanism contributing to visual loss is proposed in these cases: ischemic optic neuropathy due to stretching of nutrient vessels. In these cases, rapid posterior decompression should theoretically be favored to reduce orbital pressure and relieve traction on the optic nerve vasculature.

Author List

Dolman PJ, Glazer LC, Harris GJ, Beatty RL, Massaro BM

Author

Gerald J. Harris MD Professor in the Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Blindness
Exophthalmos
Humans
Intraocular Pressure
Male
Middle Aged
Ocular Hypertension
Orbital Diseases
Tomography, X-Ray Computed