Laughter-Induced Transient Vision Loss in a Patient With Silent Sinus Syndrome.

BACKGROUND

To report a patient with silent sinus syndrome (SSS) who experienced transient ipsilateral monocular vision loss during intense laughter.

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

Our patient's transient vision loss completely resolved after maxillary sinus decompression and during 7 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the precise mechanism of our patient's vision loss remains undetermined, we suspect that the vascular supply to the eye and/or the optic nerve was compromised as the result of the combination of laughter (causing Valsalva maneuver and increased intrathoracic pressure) and SSS.