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Does Spinal Injury Cause Retinal Haemorrhage?

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Posted on Sat, 27 Dec 2014
Question: I have a retinal haemorrhage. Could it be related to spinal surgery I had a few months ago or the medications I am on. I am not diabetic or hypertensive. I also had a spinal nerve root injection 6months ago.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
This is not related to spinal injury.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic.

I am Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye.


I reviewed your history. It seems from the history that you are having retinal hemorrhage.
Retinal hemorrhages are usually seen in head injury with sub dural or subarchanoid hemorrhage.
They are rare in spinal injury / surgery. Retinal hemorrhages are seen in cervical spinal injuries of high severity. Since the injuries are few months older, the present retinal hemorrhage does not appear to be related to it. The drugs you are using are also not related to retinal hemorrhages.

Since you are not a diabetic or hypertensive the other causes for retinal hemorrhages like vascular occlusions, vasculitis, retinopathies needs to be ruled out. Hence I advice you to consult your ophthalmologist or preferably a retinal specialist for further examination and treatment accordingly.

Hope the information is helpful to you.

Do write back to me for further questions.

Thank you
With regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (12 hours later)
I wondered if it could be related to the prone and head down positioning I was in for 3 hrs whilst they operated on my back. The anaesthetist said eye damage was a risk of spinal surgery, due to increased intraocular pressure. They monitor the eyes throughout the surgery he said. What is the incidence of them occurring in non diabetic, non hypertensive people. Are there any precautions I must follow whilst the haemorrhage resolves?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Heavy physical activities should be avoided.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.

Yes it is true that raise of intra cranial pressure which can occur during spinal or cranial surgeries can cause retinal hemorrhages.
But since it is already few months old they should resolve by now.
Hence if the hemorrhages are still persisting evaluation is required to rule out other underlying causes as I mentioned in the previous answer.
The precautions that need to be taken are 1.To avoid heavy physical exercises, running, lifting weights....
2. Evaluation to find out the extent of retinal hemorrhage and to rule out any other underlying cause.

Hope this is helpful to you.

Do write back to me for further questions.

Thank you
With regards


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Dadapeer K

Ophthalmologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 5709 Questions

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Does Spinal Injury Cause Retinal Haemorrhage?

Brief Answer: This is not related to spinal injury. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to Health care Magic. I am Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye. I reviewed your history. It seems from the history that you are having retinal hemorrhage. Retinal hemorrhages are usually seen in head injury with sub dural or subarchanoid hemorrhage. They are rare in spinal injury / surgery. Retinal hemorrhages are seen in cervical spinal injuries of high severity. Since the injuries are few months older, the present retinal hemorrhage does not appear to be related to it. The drugs you are using are also not related to retinal hemorrhages. Since you are not a diabetic or hypertensive the other causes for retinal hemorrhages like vascular occlusions, vasculitis, retinopathies needs to be ruled out. Hence I advice you to consult your ophthalmologist or preferably a retinal specialist for further examination and treatment accordingly. Hope the information is helpful to you. Do write back to me for further questions. Thank you With regards