• Further, the Task Force believes that there is no evidence that an
ophthalmic or neuro-ophthalmic evaluation would be useful in
identifying patients at risk for perioperative visual loss.
• The Task Force believes that the risk of perioperative ION may
be increased in patients who undergo prolonged procedures, have
substantial blood loss, or both.**
• Consider informing patients in whom prolonged procedures,
substantial blood loss, or both are anticipated that there is a small,
unpredictable risk of perioperative visual loss.
• Because the frequency of visual loss after spine surgery of short
duration is very low, the decision to inform patients who are not
anticipated to be “high risk” for visual loss should be determined
on a case-by-case basis.