Acute visual loss in association with sinusitis

Abstract

Acute visual loss may occur in association with sinusitis either as a complication of orbital cellulitis or, less frequently, as a part of the orbital apex syndrome. We describe two cases of temporary monocular visual loss caused by sinusitis. In one case the visual loss was due to orbital cellulitis; while in the other patient it was due to incompletely developed orbital apex syndrome. This later mode of presentation is called 'partial orbital apex syndrome' by some authors and 'posterior orbital cellulitis' by others. The relationship between sinusitis and blindness is discussed.