Saturday night retinopathy

A case of unilateral ischemic retinopathy leading to permanent blindness in association with unilateral peroneal palsy involving the same side is described. The retinopathy and neuropathy occurred in a setting of heavy alcohol consumption followed by stupor; hence the use of the term "Saturday Night Retinopathy" appears appropriate. The similarity of this syndrome to that observed during face mask anesthesia or anesthesia during neurosurgical procedures utilizing a head rest and inadvertently producing increased orbital pressure, is striking. The spontaneous occurrence of this syndrome outside a hospital setting is unusual. The presence of massive retinal edema indicative of retinal anoxia and the absent ERG signal suggest partial or complete collapse of the ophthalmic artery secondary to orbital pressure as the major underlying mechanism of the retinal ischemia.