FACTORS AFFECTING VISUAL OUTCOME IN INDIRECT TRAUMATIC OPTIC NEUROPATHY – A RETROSPECTIVE NON-RANDOMIZED STUDY

Abstract

Purpose To study the demographic profile and factors associated with visual outcome in patients with indirect traumatic optic neuropathy. Methods A retrospective study of patients admitted with indirect traumatic optic neuropathy, in a tertiary care centre in South India, from February 2016 to February 2018 was conducted. Patients with bony impingement on the optic nerve were treated with endoscopic surgical decompression and the rest were treated with low dose steroids. Visual acuity was assessed at presentation, 2 weeks and 3 months. Results The mean age of the patients was 31.6 years (13-75 years). 19(90.4%) patients were male and road traffic accident (95.23%) was the most common cause of injury. Mean time of presentation was 3.6 hours ( 1-7 hours) Vision at presentation was perception of light and above in 8(3.1%) and no perception of Light in 13(61.9%) patients. Visual improvement was seen in 4 out of 18 patients (22.2%) in the steroid group and 1 out of 3 patients (33.3%) in the surgery group. Visual acuity at presentation was significantly associated with final visual outcome (P=0.047). Conclusion Our study demonstrated that visual acuity at presentation was the only factor associated with final vision, irrespective of associated injuries and treatment modalities.