Endoscopic Optic Nerve Decompression for Direct Traumatic Optic Neuropathy : Our 10 Years Experience

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) can be classified into direct or indirect types. Direct optic injury usually results from optic nerve avulsion ,laceration or compression by fracture, fracture segment impingement or a resultant hematoma. Indirect optic injury is caused by increased intracanalicular pressure resulting in ischemia and disruption of neurofeedback channels. The prognosis of TON is usually quite poor. To date, no standardized treatment protocol has been developed for TON. In this study we are assessing the visual improvement in patients with direct TON who underwent endoscopic optic nerve decompression in the last 10 years. A retrospective study of 32 cases of optic nerve decompression for direct TON in the last 10 years. Preoperative and postoperative visual assessment were done and followed up for 3 months. There was complete improvement in vision in 17% of patients when optic nerve decompression was done within 72 h of trauma; whereas 31% cases had only partial improvement when done between 3 and 7 days. And there was no improvement when done after 7 days. Endoscopic optic nerve decompression is a minimally invasive surgery for direct traumatic optic neuropathy; with minimal or no complications when done by an experienced ENT surgeon. Other important prognostic factors include timing of surgery and preoperative visual status.