A Rare Presentation of Direct Traumatic Optic Neuropathy in a Patient Poked in the Eye by an Antenna

Abstract

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is defined as a loss of vision due to a traumatic injury to the optic nerve. Numerous mechanisms may contribute to the development of TON; however, most cases involve injuries to the globe, orbit, or adnexa. This case report presents a 24-year-old male who was inadvertently poked in the eye with an antenna and developed a direct optic nerve injury in the absence of a significant injury to the surrounding orbital structures. A CT scan was used to confirm the diagnosis. No visual recovery was observed throughout his clinical course. The proposed pathophysiologic mechanisms, clinical presentation, complications, treatments, and prognosis of traumatic optic neuropathy are subsequently discussed.