Final answer:
Sudden vision loss following heart surgery could be due to a blood clot in the retinal artery, damage to the optic nerve, or less likely, ocular inflammation. Swelling from meningitis can impact the optic nerve causing vision loss. Additionally, stroke is an important consideration as it can affect vision if the stroke impacts vision-related areas of the brain. Correct options are 1) and 2)
Step-by-step explanation:
Possible Causes of Sudden Vision Loss
If a man experiences a sudden loss of vision in the left eye after having open heart surgery, several possibilities could be considered. The most immediate thought might be a blood clot in the retinal artery, which can occur post-surgery due to hypercoagulability. This is a rare but serious condition that requires emergency treatment to restore vision. Another possible explanation could be damage to the optic nerve during the procedure, though this is less common with cardiac surgery. Inflammation of the eye, such as iritis or uveitis, could also manifest as vision loss; however, this typically presents with other symptoms such as pain or redness. In the presented scenarios, the sudden onset of vision loss is less likely associated with inflammation, which tends to have a more gradual presentation.
Regarding the links between meningitis and vision loss, the swelling related to meningitis can put pressure on the optic nerve due to inflammation of the meninges, which are in close proximity to the optic nerve. This can lead to vision loss by directly affecting the nerve function or through increased intracranial pressure. Stroke should also be considered as a cause, given that interruption of blood flow to any part of the brain that is involved in vision can lead to sudden vision changes.