Posttraumatic venous obstructive retinopathy associated with enlarged optic nerve sheath

S. L. Hupp, E. G. Buckley, S. F. Byrne, R. R. Tenzel, J. S. Glaser and N. S. Schatz

A case of posttraumatic unilateral enlargement of the optic nerve sheath associated with a venous obstructive retinopathy and progressive visual loss responded with marked improvement in visual function after nerve sheath decompression. Indirect (closed-head) trauma may be related to the progressive nerve sheath enlargement, venous obstructive retinopathy, and progressive visual loss. It is apparent that a venous stasis retinopathy can result from a posttraumatic optic nerve sheath lesion. Prompt recognition by echographic and/or roentgenographic investigation and subsequent decompression may be curative.