Delayed orbital hemorrhage after cataract surgery in a patient with an acquired factor VIII inhibitor

PURPOSE: To report the occurrence of delayed orbital hemorrhage after catar act surgery with retrobulbar anesthesia in a patient with previously unknow n acquired factor VIII antibodies. METHODS: Interventional case report. A 79-year-old woman underwent uneventf ul cataract surgery with retrobulbar anesthesia and subsequently incurred a severe orbital hemorrhage 12 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: Despite aggressive surgical and medical intervention, the patient lost all vision in the involved eye. CONCLUSION: Delayed postoperative retrobulbar hemorrhage may cause total lo ss of vision in patients with acquired factor VIII antibodies. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.