Outcome of Endoscopic Optic Nerve Decompression for Traumatic Optic Neuropathy

This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of endoscopic optic nerve decompression (EOND) for adults with traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) and seek factors that might affect surgery outcomes.

From January 2016 to June 2019, 16 adults diagnosed with TON, who underwent endoscopic trans-ethmosphenoid optic canal decompression, were reviewed. All the patients were treated with steroids before the surgery. The main outcome measure was an improvement in visual acuity (VA) after treatment.

Eight (50.0%) patients had residual vision before the surgery, while eight (50.0%) had no light perception. After surgical decompression, partial recovery of VA was achieved in three (18.75%) patients who were operated within 10 days and had residual vision before the surgery. However, no improvement in VA was observed for the remaining patients (81.25%) who were operated more than 10 days after injuries.

EOND is beneficial for TON not responding to steroid therapy and can prevent permanent disability if earlier intervention is done prior to irreversible damage to the nerve. Endoscopic optic nerve surgery can decompress the traumatic and edematous optic nerve with proper exposure of optic canal and orbital apex without any major complications. The operation timing and residual vision are important factors affecting outcomes.