Endoscopic optic nerve decompression for the treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy.

Optic nerve decompression has been accomplished by a variety of procedures. Since 1995, endoscopic optic nerve decompression (EOND) has been used to treat traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) patients in our hospital after medical treatment failed. To date, 17 TON patients have received EOND in our hospital and have been followed up for more than half a year. After decompression, vision improved in 9 patients, remained the same in 6, and became worse in 2. The dura was incidentally exposed during the operation in 1 patient. We conclude that it is easier and more precise to perform optic nerve decompression by EOND than by other optic nerve decompression procedures. However, its efficacy still needs further investigation.