title: Long-term efficacy of orbital decompression for compressive optic neuropathy of Graves' eye disease.
abstract: In a retrospective evaluation of the long-term effect of transantral-ethmoidal decompression for compressive optic neuropathy, the authors evaluated visual acuity, visual fields, color vision, and motility in 30 patients (52 orbits) for a median follow-up period of 2.5 years (range, 0.6 to 6.5 years). Patients with preoperative visual acuity of 20/40 or better uniformly remained in this category and demonstrated an earlier stabilization of vision than those with poorer preoperative visual acuity. Of the ten patients whose preoperative visual acuity was 20/50 to 20/100, 80% attained acuity of 20/40 or better. In patients whose visual acuity was 20/200 or less (n = 7), 57% attained an acuity of 20/40 or better. The most common visual field defect was generalized constriction, which was noted in 43 of the 52 eyes (83%). After decompression, the preoperative visual field defect had improved or completely resolved in all but one case. Dyschromatopsia, noted in 20 eyes preoperatively, cleared in 17 (85%) postoperatively. Although the study showed that surgical decompression is beneficial, some patients may require additional modalities of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan Ann Arbor 48105.
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Frueh
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Hessburg
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Musch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003118:Color Perception; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009915:Orbit / Q000601:surgery*; D011681:Pupil Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields