Analysis of Prognostic Factors for the Indirect Traumatic Optic Neuropathy Underwent Endoscopic Transnasal Optic Canal Decompression.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of endoscopic transnasal optic canal decompression (ETOCD) for patients with indirect traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) and identify the relevant prognostic factors.

METHODS

Seventy-two indirect TON patients who underwent ETOCD surgery from August 2017 to May 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The paired t-test was used to compare the visual acuity (VA) before and after ETOCD, and multiple linear regression analysis was used to distinguish the potential prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Among the patients analyzed, postoperative VA (-2.87 ± 0.19) was significantly higher than the preoperative VA (-3.92 ± 0.13) (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis models showed that poor initial VA and longer time to surgery were independent risk factors for VA prognosis (P < 0.05), but surgical time alone was significantly associated with the improvement degree of visual acuity (IDVA) (P < 0.05). Optic canal fracture, orbital fracture, and hemorrhage within the ethmoid and/or sphenoid sinus were not significantly correlated with IDVA and VA prognosis (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

ETOCD surgery could salvage VA impairment in patients with indirect TON. A better initial VA indicates better final VA outcomes after surgery. Additionally, shorter time to surgery implies better VA prognosis and higher IDVA.