From the Research
Visual disturbances after ablation procedures are typically temporary and resolve within a few days to weeks, but prompt evaluation is essential to rule out serious complications. If you're experiencing visual changes after an ablation, contact your healthcare provider immediately as this could indicate a serious complication. Common visual disturbances include blurred vision, floaters, light sensitivity, or temporary vision loss. These symptoms may result from emboli (small blood clots or tissue fragments) that travel to the retinal arteries, or from changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm during the procedure. Treatment depends on the specific cause and severity but may include close monitoring, blood thinners like aspirin (81-325mg daily) or anticoagulants such as apixaban (5mg twice daily) if emboli are suspected, as seen in a case report of new migraine with visual disturbance after cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation 1. While waiting for medical attention, rest with your head elevated and avoid straining activities that could increase blood pressure. Most visual disturbances are temporary, but prompt evaluation is essential to rule out serious complications like retinal artery occlusion or stroke, as reported in a case of occipital lobe infarction following cardiac ablation 2. The risk of these complications is minimized by careful pre-procedure planning and monitoring during ablation. Some studies have also reported persistent visual aura following catheter ablation in patients with preexisting right-to-left shunts, highlighting the importance of careful patient selection and monitoring 3. Additionally, changes in spherical aberration after various corneal surface ablation techniques have been reported, which may influence postoperative refractive status and ocular spherical aberration 4. However, these findings are not directly relevant to the management of visual disturbances after ablation procedures. In general, the management of visual disturbances after ablation procedures should prioritize prompt evaluation and treatment of potential complications, as well as careful monitoring and follow-up to ensure resolution of symptoms. Key considerations include:
- Prompt evaluation and treatment of potential complications
- Close monitoring and follow-up to ensure resolution of symptoms
- Careful pre-procedure planning and monitoring during ablation to minimize the risk of complications
- Consideration of individual patient factors, such as preexisting right-to-left shunts, that may influence the risk of complications.