Post-Operative Blindness After Spinal Surgery: Legal Rights for Victims of Surgical Vision Loss
If you or a loved one has experienced post-operative vision loss after spinal surgery, you may be searching for clear answers and legal guidance. Postoperative visual loss (POVL) is a rare but devastating complication that can occur after non-ocular surgery, particularly spinal surgery performed in the prone position. Understanding your options and your rights is essential if you suspect medical malpractice or surgical negligence led to permanent vision loss.
**What is Postoperative Visual Loss (POVL) After Spinal Surgery?**
POVL after spinal surgery refers to any significant loss of eyesight that occurs as a complication following a spine operation. This condition is most commonly caused by ischemic optic neuropathy (ION), in which the optic nerve loses blood supply during or after surgery. Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and cortical blindness (damage to the brain’s visual center) are other possible causes, but ION accounts for the majority of cases ([MDPI](https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/4/1051), [Girards Law](https://www.girardslaw.com/practice_areas/post-operative-visual-loss.cfm)).
**How Common is Vision Loss After Spinal Surgery?**
While rare, the incidence of post-operative blindness after spinal surgery ranges from 0.02% up to 0.2%—about 2 in every 1,000 patients. Though infrequent, the outcome is often permanent and can have a profound impact on quality of life, making it a major concern for patients and their families ([World Journal of Orthopedics](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4017302/), [Frontiers in Surgery](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2017.00034/full)).
**Risk Factors and Causes of Post-Operative Blindness**
- **Lengthy Spinal Surgery:** Longer procedures, especially those performed while the patient is face-down (prone), increase the risk.
- **Significant Blood Loss:** Major blood loss during surgery can deprive the optic nerve and brain of oxygen.
- **Low Blood Pressure or Anemia:** These conditions reduce oxygen delivery to critical structures.
- **Medical Malpractice / Surgical Negligence:** Failure to monitor blood pressure, blood loss, or improper patient positioning can increase the risk of vision loss and may constitute medical negligence ([OpenAnesthesia](https://www.openanesthesia.org/keywords/postoperative-visual-loss/), [Girards Law](https://www.girardslaw.com/practice_areas/post-operative-visual-loss.cfm)).
**Legal Options: Medical Malpractice and Spinal Surgery Lawsuits**
If you or a loved one has suffered permanent blindness after spinal surgery, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Key search terms for affected patients include:
- Post-operative blindness after spinal surgery
- Postoperative visual loss (POVL) legal claims
- Spinal surgery malpractice vision loss
- Medical negligence spinal surgery
- Permanent vision loss after surgery lawsuit
- Spinal surgery complications lawyer
Victims should contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney who understands the complexities of POVL after spinal surgery and can investigate whether medical negligence played a role in the complication ([Personal Injury Keywords](https://www.onthemap.com/blog/personal-injury-keywords/)).
**Takeaway for Patients and Families**
- Postoperative blindness after spinal surgery is rare but life-altering.
- Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) is the leading cause, but other mechanisms exist.
- Medical malpractice, such as inadequate monitoring or surgical negligence, can contribute to vision loss.
- Victims have legal rights and may be entitled to compensation for their injuries.
If you or a loved one has experienced post-operative blindness after spinal surgery, contact a qualified spinal surgery malpractice attorney today for a free consultation. Our law firm specializes in helping patients pursue justice and fair compensation for surgical vision loss and other severe complications.
For further reading on the causes and legal considerations of postoperative vision loss after spinal surgery, see [Frontiers in Surgery](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2017.00034/full), [MDPI](https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/4/1051), and [Girards Law](https://www.girardslaw.com/practice_areas/post-operative-visual-loss.cfm).
If you have questions or are looking for support, reach out for a free legal consultation. Our team is here to help you navigate this challenging time.
James E. Girards is a private pilot licensed to fly single- and multi-engine aircraft in both visual and instrument conditions. The Girards Law Firm specializes in severe injury and wrongful death cases, especially those that involve commercial plane crashes, commercial trucking crashes, birth injuries, brain damage, heart damage, spinal cord injuries or severe burns in Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Contact us at www.girardslaw.com by using the chat feature for more information.