Methodology
A. Definition of Perioperative Visual loss
Visual loss after spine surgery is an uncommon occurrence.
1–3 Ophthalmic complications have been reported
to occur in less than 0.2% of spine surgeries.4–8 For this
Advisory, perioperative visual loss refers to permanent impairment
or total loss of sight associated with a spine
procedure during which general anesthesia is administered.
The perioperative period includes the time period
from the immediate preoperative assessment through discharge
from the acute healthcare facility. Conditions addressed
in this Advisory include posterior ischemic optic
neuropathy (ION), anterior ION, and central retinal artery
occlusion (CRAO). “High-risk patients” are defined
as those who undergo spine procedures while positioned