Shock-Induced Optic Neuropathy

Abstract

Abstract Thirty-eight patients with low-tension glaucoma were analyzed for aggravating or precipitating factors and followed for evidence of progression of their condition. Ten patients had a history of shock before the recognition of ischemic optic neuropathy with visual-field loss. Of these 10 patients only one gave evidence of progression as indicated by further field loss. Of the 28 patients without such a history of preceding shock, 18 showed progression. The groups were comparable in age and sex and initial optic-disk appearance and field loss. Withholding standard ocular therapy did not seem to increase the likelihood of progression. Shock may produce an ischemic optic neuropathy with an optic-disk appearance and visual-field loss indistinguishable from those in low-tension glaucoma. The prognosis in this group appears to be better, suggesting that a single insult rather than ongoing factors was responsible for their field loss.