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Robert C. Sergott, MD; Marc S. Cohen, MD; Thomas M. Bosley, MD; Peter J. Savino, MD

Arch Ophthalmol. 1989;107(12):1743-1754.

Abstract
• Optic nerve sheath decompression surgery improved visual function for 12 of 14 patients with progressive nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Visual recovery was maintained in all patients during a follow-up period of 6 to 18 months (average, 11 months). Seven patients had experienced a previous NAION in the eye that was not operated on that did not improve spontaneously. Surprisingly, 2 of these 7 eyes with long-standing decreased vision demonstrated some visual improvement after surgery on the contralateral, acutely affected eye. Spontaneous visual improvement did not occur in an age- and sex-matched control group of 12 patients with similar entry-level visual acuity and field loss. Only 1 of 3 patients with sudden, nonprogressive visual loss secondary to NAION improved after surgery. In a control group with nonprogressive NAION, 2 of 15 eyes (14 patients) demonstrated spontaneous improvement. Optic nerve sheath decompression improves visual loss due to progressive NAION, a disorder without any previously effective therapy. However, for acute, nonprogressive NAION, surgery for a small number of patients did not improve the natural history of the disease.

Author Affiliations
From the Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication September 30, 1989.

Reprint requests to Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Ninth and Walnut streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (Dr Sergott).

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