Study design: A case report of transient blindness after lumbar epidural steroids is presented.
Objective: To report the diagnosis and treatment of a case of blindness after administration of lumbar epidural steroids.
Summary of background data: Nine previous cases of blindness after lumbar epidural injection for back pain were identified. Retinal hemorrhages were identified on ophthalmologic examination in all cases.
Methods: The 1-year follow up evaluation of a 39-year-old male who sustained transient blindness after administration of lumbar epidural steroids is reported.
Results: At 1 year, the patient had significant return of vision, but it did not improve back to baseline.
Conclusions: Transient blindness is a rare complication of lumbar epidural injection. The pathophysiology and prevention of this rare entity is reviewed.