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Traumatic Optic Neuropathy: Recommendations and Neuroprotection

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Pediatric Ophthalmology, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Genetics

Part of the book series: Essentials in Ophthalmology ((ESSENTIALS))

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Abstract

■ Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) may result from either direct or indirect injury.

■ TON can be classified into transection and compressive forms of neuropathy.

■ Both forms of TON may result in acute loss of vision.

■ Transection of the optic nerve is rare and currently untreatable.

■ Compressive TON can be treated with steroids, surgery, or both.

■ Conservative treatment has been performed with prednisolone at widely varying doses.

■ Surgical treatment has been performed with transsphenoid and endoscopic decompression of the optic canal.

■ However, none of the current treatments has been tested in a prospective, controlled, and randomized multicentric study, and the available reported results are no better than those when TON remains untreated.

■ None of the treatments can be recommended until evidence-based data are available, and any decision on treatment should be made on an individual basis.

■ Neuroprotection is still in the experimental phase, and cannot be yet recommended in the treatment of TON.

■ Regeneration of the optic nerve is still in the experimental phase but may become available in the future.

■ A complete ophthalmic examination should precede any treatment or the inclusion in a prospective treatment trial.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Experimentelle Ophthalmologie, Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Domagkstraße 15, 48149, Münster, Germany

    Solon Thanos, Stephan Grewe & Tobias Stupp

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  1. Solon Thanos
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  2. Stephan Grewe
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  3. Tobias Stupp
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Birgit Lorenz Francois-Xavier Borruat

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Thanos, S., Grewe, S., Stupp, T. (2008). Traumatic Optic Neuropathy: Recommendations and Neuroprotection. In: Lorenz, B., Borruat, FX. (eds) Pediatric Ophthalmology, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Genetics. Essentials in Ophthalmology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-33679-2_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-33679-2_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-33678-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-33679-2

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