[Endoscopic optic nerve decompression in traumatic optic neuropathy: analysis of 72 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To review the effects of optic nerve decompression by endoscopic technique in traumatic optic neuropathy.

METHODS: Seventy-two patients (73 eyes) with traumatic optic neuropathy which were treated with large dose of glucocorticoid but inefficacious were undergone endoscopic optic nerve decompression. The days from injury to surgery were 1-57 d. Among that, < or = 3 d 15 cases, 4-7 d 37 cases, 8-10 d 9 cases, 11-15 d 5 cases, 16-30 d 5 cases, >30 d 1 cases. The vision of pro-operation: with light perception or higher grades 18 eyes; with no light perception 55 eyes.

RESULTS: All patients were followed up for more than 3 months. Fourty-six of 73 eyes had improvements in visual acuity, the total effective rate was 63.01%. Thirty-one of 55 eyes with no light perception had raises in visual acuity (56.36%). Fifteen of 18 eyes with light perception or higher grades had improvements (83.33%). No complication had happened.

CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic optic nerve decompression is an appropriate technique for patients with traumatic optic neuropathy. Even though the patient has injured in longer time and high-dose steroid treatment has failed, optic nerve decompression may improve visual acuity.