Purpose: This study was undertaken to assess the pathogenesis of traumatic optic neuropathy as a consequence of closed head injury.
Material and methods: The clinical material comprised 34 patients (4 women and 30 men, age 14-70 years), who developed clinical symptoms of optic neuropathy after head trauma. A full ophthalmologic survey and colour Doppler examination of the orbital vessels were performed in all patients.
Results: Full blindness of the affected eye, persisting since the injury, was noted in 20 patients. Orbital fracture was diagnosed in 15 person, but 4 patients among them had fracture of the optic canal bones. In 16 cases a retrobulbar hematoma was present. In 8 patients, who displayed no light perception after trauma, no flow was observed in the central retinal artery. In 18 other persons there was decreased of blood flow parameters. Only 6 patients had the normal flow in the orbital vessels.
Conclusion: The reason of the development of optic neuropathy after head injury is not clear. Our results of the blood flow measurement in the orbital vessels suggest, that disturbance of circulation within the optic nerve is very serious factor in the pathogenesis of traumatic optic neuropathy.