Optic nerve sheath fenestration: A second lease at sight

PURPOSE: To study the safety and efficacy of optic nerve sheath fenestration surgery in patients with optic disc edema due to different etiologies. METHODS: Records of 18 eyes of 15 patients who underwent optic nerve sheath fenestration for vision threatening optic disc edema were reviewed retrospectively, and results were analyzed. Improvement of visual acuity was the main measure of outcome. Improved visual fields, resolution of optic disc edema, diplopia, and headache were other benefits that were observed. RESULTS: Fifteen patients between 13 and 54 years of age were included in the study. Three patients underwent successive bilateral surgery. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension was the most common cause for optic disc edema and was found in 80% of the patients. Mean preoperative logMAR acuity was -1.9789 ± 1.46270, which improved to -0.9022 ± 1.23181 (p < 0.005) in the operated eye, and mean logMAR acuity of contralateral eye improved from -1.3378 ± 1.50107 to -1.0667 ± 1.33813 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early optic nerve sheath fenestration is an effective modality for treating optic disc edema due to a wide myriad of causes and helps resolve the associated symptoms.