Recurrent Vision Loss After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Managed With Palmar Pressure

Abstract

A 41-year-old woman underwent endoscopic sinus surgery and 24 hours later, she developed acute orbital emphysema with marked vision loss. CT showed disruption of the inferior aspect of the medial wall of the orbit with fat herniation. She was immediately treated with the application of bedside palmar pressure to the globe with complete return of her vision without the need for a needle aspiration or orbital decompression. Weeks later, the patient experienced 2 more episodes of transient monocular visual loss that were again successfully treated with the same palmar pressure. Bedside digital decompression may be a potentially helpful method of restoring vision in cases of orbital emphysema with acute vision loss. We advise attempting this simple bedside procedure before committing the patient to a more invasive needle aspiration or surgical decompressive procedure.