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What Causes Sudden Onset Of Fainting Post Glaucoma Surgery?
Question: My daughter had closed angle glaucoma surgery and it was painful even after numbing drops several times. She became ill and fainted, twice, aHow serious is this ? Now, after nd her blood pressure and heart rate plunged. They tilted her on a bed and put ice bags on her. After she came around her eye pressure XXXXXXX to 39 and her blood pressure was high and heart rate was high. It was mentioned that the Vegas nerve was touched or burned by the laser. Now she is frightened to have the other eye done. Does this happen often?
Brief Answer:
Possible Vasovagal syncope.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,
I understand your query and concern.
Your child might have had Vaso vagal syncope.
This can result in symptoms like sudden faintness with compensatory increase in blood pressure and heart rate.
Yes vagal nerve stimulation can result in such episodes.
This is usually rare with glaucoma surgery.
This does not happen often.
Since the episode is related temporally to eye surgery,you need not worry much ,since she has recovered well.
Its important that you evaluate get cardiac status completely through 24 hr ECG and Echo if she reports another such episode.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Possible Vasovagal syncope.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,
I understand your query and concern.
Your child might have had Vaso vagal syncope.
This can result in symptoms like sudden faintness with compensatory increase in blood pressure and heart rate.
Yes vagal nerve stimulation can result in such episodes.
This is usually rare with glaucoma surgery.
This does not happen often.
Since the episode is related temporally to eye surgery,you need not worry much ,since she has recovered well.
Its important that you evaluate get cardiac status completely through 24 hr ECG and Echo if she reports another such episode.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Brief Answer:
This reflex is an an exaggerated physiological response.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,
I understand your concern.
Yes absolutely the factors mentioned by your surgeon like,eye thickening and large nerve endings are the forerunners in causing this kind of syncope.
This is specifically called as Oculocardiac reflex.
The nerves from the eye will stimulate the Vagus nerve center,which will in turn depress the heart and occasionally irritate the Gut,which can cause nausea.
This is definitely not normal,since the heart will be at risk of depression.
The usual treatment is offered by the Critical care specialist in the operating room.
The reflex can be blocked by injecting peribulbar or retrobulbar local anesthetics prior to stimulation, or with intravenous injection of an drugs such as atropine or glycopyrrolate.
If low heart does occur, removal of the stimulus is immediately indicated. This often results in the restoration of normal heart rate. If not, the use of atropine or glycopyrrolate will usually be successful and permit continuation of the surgical procedure.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
This reflex is an an exaggerated physiological response.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,
I understand your concern.
Yes absolutely the factors mentioned by your surgeon like,eye thickening and large nerve endings are the forerunners in causing this kind of syncope.
This is specifically called as Oculocardiac reflex.
The nerves from the eye will stimulate the Vagus nerve center,which will in turn depress the heart and occasionally irritate the Gut,which can cause nausea.
This is definitely not normal,since the heart will be at risk of depression.
The usual treatment is offered by the Critical care specialist in the operating room.
The reflex can be blocked by injecting peribulbar or retrobulbar local anesthetics prior to stimulation, or with intravenous injection of an drugs such as atropine or glycopyrrolate.
If low heart does occur, removal of the stimulus is immediately indicated. This often results in the restoration of normal heart rate. If not, the use of atropine or glycopyrrolate will usually be successful and permit continuation of the surgical procedure.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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