Signs of traumatic optic neuropathy following mild traumatic brain injury in school-aged children

Abstract

Aim of the research was to outline signs of traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) caused by mild head trauma(mTBI) in school-aged children. Methods: Forty eight patients with persisting visual symptoms after mild brain injury have been examined. Visual evoked potentials examination has been undergone in order to establish visual pathways alteration. Results: VEP exam revealed a possible TON on both eyes in 61,1% patients and a unilateral TON in 16,1% patients after mTBI. This values have been reported as being referred to an increased latency of the N2 wave in 55,6% for the right eye and 66,6% for the left eye, increased latency of the P wave in 55,7% for the right eye and 66,7% for the left eye and increased latency of the N3 wave in 16,7% for the right eye and 33,3% for the left eye. Also a decreased amplitude of the P wave has been determined for the right eye in 16,7% patients and for the left eye 33,3% patients. Conclusions: Our research has been an attempt to outline the features of traumatic optic neuropathy that may occur after mTBI. Since the ophthalmoscopy findings often come with a clear a picture it is important to determine whether there are present signs of visual pathway alteration.