A process used to relieve pressure that could cause permanent blindness involves which procedure?

The procedure that is used to relieve pressure that could cause permanent blindness is the lateral canthotomy. This emergency intervention involves making an incision at the outer corner of the eye to relieve pressure from conditions such as orbital compartment syndrome, which can result from bleeding or swelling within the orbit. This condition is critical because it can lead to vision loss if not addressed promptly.

The primary goal of a lateral canthotomy is to provide immediate relief of pressure within the eye socket to restore blood flow to the optic nerve and preserve vision. Other procedures listed, such as herniorrhaphy, mastectomy, and laminectomy, do not directly address eye-related pressure issues, as they pertain to hernia repair, breast surgery, and spinal surgery, respectively. Thus, lateral canthotomy stands out as the specific procedure relevant to preventing permanent blindness caused by ocular pressure.