Axonal loss after traumatic optic neuropathy documented by optical coherence tomography.
OBJECTIVE
To report longitudinal retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in a patient with traumatic optic neuropathy.


METHODS
Observational case report.


METHODS
A 14-year-old boy with severe optic nerve trauma had repeated OCT scans of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer at 3 days, 20 days, 40 days, and 70 days after injury.


RESULTS
There was gradual loss of nerve fibers as shown by the OCT color-coded map, RNFL thickness profile, and RNFL thickness measurements around the optic disk. At 70 days of follow-up, severe thinning of the RNFL was observable.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that OCT is able to assess and monitor axonal loss after traumatic optic neuropathy.
Medeiros
Felipe A
FA
Glaucoma Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. fmedeiros@uol.com.br
Moura
Frederico C
FC
Vessani
Roberto M
RM
Susanna
Remo
R
D000293:Adolescent; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology*; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D006801:Humans; D007368:Interferometry; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D009896:Optic Atrophy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology; D020221:Optic Nerve Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014054:Tomography