Bilateral ischaemic optic neuropathy following laparoscopic proctocolectomy: a case report

Abstract

Despite the growing numbers of laparoscopic operations, ION has rarely been described. The cases that were published involved laparoscopic prostatectomy and a prolonged steep Trendelenburg position. We postulate that the patient presented here had suffered both from a relative hypotension and from an acute rise in the intraorbital pressure due to patient position, both factors combining to cause a disruption to ocular perfusion resulting in ION with severe permanent visual damage.