Steroids versus No Steroids in Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

To examine the role of oral steroid therapy in the treatment of nondiabetic cases of acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAAION).

Randomized double-blind clinical trial.

Thirty-eight patients with acute nondiabetic NAAION divided into 2 arms of 19 patients each. One arm constituted the cases and the other constituted the controls.

Cases received oral steroid therapy and were designated the steroid group, whereas controls received placebo and were designated the nonsteroid group. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual evoked response (VER), and OCT were performed at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after recruitment into the trial.

Best-corrected visual acuity, VER, and retinal nerve fiber layer changes on OCT.

Both groups showed significant improvement in BCVA, VER latency, and resolution of disc edema on OCT parameters over 6 months. Final outcome showed no statistically significant difference with regard to visual acuity, although VER was better in the steroid group (P = 0.011). Best-corrected visual acuity, VER amplitude, and VER latency (P = 0.02, P = 0.02, and P = 0.04, respectively) showed a greater percentage improvement in the steroid group, which also saw a faster resolution of disc edema on OCT (1-month follow-up).

Oral steroids in acute NAAION did not improve the visual acuity significantly at 6 months. However, they improved resolution of disc edema significantly and enabled a greater improvement in VER parameters. This subtle benefit of oral steroids in NAAION is clinically unimportant and does not provide support for its use.