The effects of high-dose corticosteroid therapy on optic nerve head blood flow in experimental traumatic optic neuropathy

Purpose: The objective of this study was to ascertain the effect of high-do se steroid therapy in traumatic optic neuropathy using the Heidelberg retin a flowmeter (HRF) to detect changes in optic nerve head blood flow. Methods : We experimentally damaged the optic nerves of 10 white rabbits with a Har tman mosquito clamp. The first group (n = 5) was treated with intravenous d examethasone (0.25 mg/kg) every 6 h for a 48-hour period. The second group (n = 5) served as controls. Both groups were tested prior to operation, 1 w eek,1 month and 2 months after surgery. Results: Experimental optic nerve d amage caused a significant decrease in optic nerve head blood flow of 50.51 % (p = 0.001), with a volume decrease of 46.02% (p = 0.001) and a velocity reduction of 43.12% (p = 0.002) compared to the baseline. After 2 months, i n the group treated with high-dose corticosteroid therapy, optic nerve head blood flow was increased by 76.90% (p = 0.012), volume by 77.53% (p = 0.01 2) and velocity by 47.21% (p = 0.012) compared to the control group. Conclu sion:The high-dose corticosteroid therapy improved the optic nerve head blo od flow as demonstrated in experimental traumatic optic neuropathy. The HRF may be used to assess the therapeutic responses in traumatic optic neuropa thy under variable conditions.