Transient blindness: unusual initial symptom of transurethral prostatic resection reaction.

Transient blindness was seen in 2 patients undergoing transurethral resection (TUR) of the prostate as the initial symptom of a severe TUR reaction. Cerebral edema of the occipital cortex is the most probable mechanism. Both fully recovered their vision when appropriately treated. Patients with visual disturbances during transurethral prostatectomy should be suspected of having a TUR reaction.