Introduction: Traumatic optic nerve damage after craniofacial injury was first described by Hippocrates.1 Although the natural history of traumatic optic neuropathy is unknown, recent studies suggest that high dose steroids and, even surgical decompression of the optic canal or the nerve sheath (in cases of nerve sheath hematoma) may restore vision in selected patients.2-8 The commonest cause o...

Visual loss is a traumatic occurrence that has been reported after prone spine surgical procedures performed under general anesthesia. The most common cause of postoperative visual loss is ischemic optic neuropathy. Although the incidence of postoperative visual loss is rare, this devastating injury has been reported more frequently. Several factors increase the risk for the development of isch...

Optic neuropathy is a frequent cause of vision loss encountered by ophthalmologist. The diagnosis is made on clinical grounds. The history often points to the possible etiology of the optic neuropathy. A rapid onset is typical of demyelinating, inflammatory, ischemic and traumatic causes. A gradual course points to compressive, toxic/nutritional and hereditary causes. The classic clinical signs...

To the Editors: This letter reports a case illustrating an indirect traumatic optic neuropathy occurring from a dangerous pre-game sporting ritual. Our hope is that awareness of this activity and its danger may prevent its unnecessary recurrence. A 17-year-old male football player sustained a blunt traumatic head injury that occurred from a seemingly harmless and increasingly common activity, h...

The causes of nonglaucomatous optic disk atrophy and excavation are enumerated in people 65 years or older: congenital anomalies, myopia, ischemic disorders, transsynaptic degeneration, traumatic, compressive, hereditary, toxic and infectious optic neuropathy.