What is the risk of blindness or visual impairment from surgical rhinoplasty?

Blindness is not a known complication of rhinoplasty. Even if there is muscle damage during osteotomy, which is by itself an incredibly unlikely event, that does not lead to blindness. 

The complications you mention I suppose are possible but quite rare. These may result from medical negligence but could also happen when everything is done properly. I can’t comment on the case you mention.

Hello and thank you for your question.  The best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  Blindness is not a known complication of surgical rhinoplasty.  I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.


Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
 

I have been doing noses for over 40 years, I have never seen or heard of blindness from a nose job. You would have to go to a totally unskilled person to have this happento you. The osteotomies to in fracture the nasal bones are NOT in the orbit -- so they are no where near the eye. Major sinus surgery or sinus cancer surgery can affect the eye and orbit. Not a rhinoplasty.