Post operative visual loss after cervical laminectomy in prone position

Postoperative visual loss is a rare and devastating complication. The estimated incidence is 0.01-1% after non ocular surgery. It has been reported after spine, cardiac and head and neck surgeries. We report a patient who was operated for cervical laminectomy in prone position and complained of loss of vision in one eye postoperatively. He was thoroughly investigated after visual loss. The case was diagnosed as central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) of the left eye. Here we consider the potential etiological factors causing this unilateral loss of vision and try to suggest strategies to reduce the incidence of the complication in spinal surgery.