Traumatic Optic Ceuropathy (TON) Study of Corticosteroids

Traumatic optic neuropathy may result from a penetrating orbital injury (direct injury to the nine) or from a blunt frontal blow (indirect injury). Traumatic optic neuropathy due to indirect injury to the optic nerve (TON) is a frequently encountered problem leading to significant visual loss in most cases, and is the subject of this proposal. Corticosteroid and surgical therapy have been described for its treatment. Recent uncontrolled retrospective studies suggest visual benefit with corticosteroid therapy. We therefore propose a multicenter trial that will test the hypothesis: ""High dose corticosteroids improve the visual outcome in patients with traumatic optic neuropathy due to indirect trauma, compared to those not so treated.""