Orbital Compartment Syndrome as a Complication of Blepharoplasty: A Case Report.

[INTRODUCTION] Acute vision loss constitutes a true medical emergency, as a delay in diagnosis and treatment may lead to permanent visual impairment. Orbital compartment syndrome is most commonly associated with blunt trauma causing a retro-orbital hematoma and resulting compromise of the optic nerve. Orbital compartment syndrome, however, can occur in other scenarios including status post blepharoplasty.

[CASE REPORT] This is a case of a 67-year-old male who presented less than 24 hours after a bilateral upper blepharoplasty due to decreased visual acuity of his right eye. A lateral canthotomy was performed despite the absence of elevated intraocular pressures on tonometry. He regained visual acuity in his right eye shortly after the cantholysis.

[CONCLUSION] It is vital to consider the range of entities that can cause orbital compartment syndrome, including blepharoplasty. Recognition and emergent intervention improved the visual acuity in this case.