Transient blindness after lumbar epidural steroid injection: a case report and literature review.

Abstract

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