[Central retinal artery occlusion in surgery of the cervical vertebrae].

Retinal artery occlusion related to ocular compression is an uncommon but severe complication of general anaesthesia, most of the time results in blindness. We report a case of central retinal artery occlusion following spinal surgery. We discuss the mechanism of blindness and review the circumstances that may lead to this complication. Proper positioning of the head and avoidance of ocular compression will prevent the occurrence of retinal occlusion during general anaesthesia.