Studying the functional state of the optic nerve in patients with recent onset indirect traumatic optic neuropathy following different treatment modalities.

BACKGROUND: Indirect traumatic optic neuropathy (ITON) is a vision‑threatening condition with no universally accepted treatment. This study compares high‑dose steroids, erythropoietin (EPO), and observation. METHODS: Ninety patients were assigned to three equal groups. BCVA, Ishihara score, visual field MD, and pattern VEP were evaluated. RESULTS: EPO showed the highest improvement in BCVA, P100 latency, P100 amplitude, color vision, and MD. CONCLUSION: EPO proved superior functional recovery compared with steroids [1, 2, 3] and observation. These findings are promising; however, larger multicenter studies are required to confirm these results.