Vision loss associated with a stiff neck complicating strabismus surgery

An exotropic 60 year old suffered a scleral-choroidal penetration and vitreous hemorrhage during and after strabismus surgery on a highly myopic eye when her anesthetic airway management was complicated by her previously asymptomatic and unrecognized rigid cervical spine which placed both the surgeon and the anesthetist in disadvantaged positions both physically and medically. Restoration of vision and binocularity ultimately required vitrectomy and intraocular lens implantation.