Purpose: Dysthyroid Optic Neuropathy (DON) can lead to irreversible visual loss. We report risk features correlated with poor visual recovery despite an intensive treatment in a series of patients with DON.
Design: Retrospective analysis of a non-comparative interventional series.
Methods: Between 1997 and 2007, 300 consecutive patients with Graves' orbitopathy were seen at the Rothschild Foundation (Paris). Medical records of all consecutive patients who developed a DON were reviewed. Demographic, clinical features and visual function were collected at the time of the first onset, one month follow-up after medical and sometime surgical treatment and at the last examination. Statistical analysis (reflected as p values) gathered the significant observations into detrimental visual recovery prognostic factors for DON.
Results: Fifty-six eyes of 29 patients developed a DON. Sixteen eyes (28%) did not improve vision despite usual treatment (intravenous steroids and surgical decompression when necessary). An inferior altitudinal visual field defect (AVF, p=0.0004) and/or a lack of response to intravenous steroids boluses (p= 0.011) were related to a poor recovery.
Conclusion: DON prognosis is highly variable. Our results suggest that a non-inflammatory element, probably vascular could be involved in atypical DONs. An earlier recognition could prompt to rapid surgical treatment for these patients.