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If My Back Surgery Was A Success, Why Can’t I See?

What if you woke up following back surgery and were told that it was successful, but you could not see? Although it seems bizarre, medical studies indicate that significant changes in vision including blindness can occur following major surgeries such as spinal reconstructive surgeries, cardiac surgeries and certain ear, nose and throat procedures.

How common is this strange occurrence? Studies indicate that the incidence of vision loss following a major surgery ranges from .05% to 4.5% The most common cause of post operative loss of vision is caused by ischemic optic neuropathy, a decrease in blood and oxygen to the optic nerve. Studies further indicate that this complication is found most often following lengthy complex spinal surgeries where the patient is positioned in a prone (face down) position and where there has been a blood loss of a litre or more.

Although a number of factors may contribute to a decrease in blood and oxygen to the optic nerve, the anesthesiologist for the surgery has the duty to maintain appropriate blood oxygenation and circulation during the surgical procedure. While this complication is a major patient safety concern among anesthesiologists, it is one that is not always discussed with patients before surgery.

If you are having any complex surgery, particularly spinal surgery, that will last five hours or more; where you will be positioned face down and where there may be a blood loss of a litre or more, you should be certain to discuss the risks of visual loss with your surgeon and anesthesiologist and determine what steps they will take to prevent this potentially devastating outcome.

It is important that you understand the nature of your medical problems, the reasons for the proposed treatment, the material risks of the proposed treatment, the possible alternatives to the proposed treatment and the consequences of not going forward with treatment. There should be a free flow of questions and responses between you and your physicians and you should not feel pressured in any way to go forward.

If you would like more information about post operative vision loss or if you have suffered this serious complication and would like to determine whether this complication might have been prevented in your situation, please call us. The lawyers at the Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys have a wealth of experience with medical malpractice cases and have the ability to appropriately review your case to determine whether you have a viable claim for a post operative loss of vision.

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