Transient monocular blindness during manual carotid compression for carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas--two case reports.

Transient monocular blindness occurred during manual carotid compression in two patients with a traumatic direct and a spontaneous dural arteriovenous carotid-cavernous sinus fistula. Ocular complication may occur during diagnostic or therapeutic carotid compression for carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas, so patients should be informed of this possibility. Ocular examination should be repeated during carotid compression to prevent sequelae of ischemic oculopathy.