PATHOLOGY OF THE OPTIC NERVE INJURY

The optic nerve injury is produced by damaging the optic nerve within a craniocerebral trauma. The anatomo-pathology and the pathology of posttraumatic visual impairments are fundamental data for the therapeutic indications. The microscopic examination reveals only the particular cases of very serious or severe extensive lesions. Damage to the vessels of the optic nerve, damage and break of the optical fibers are responsible for immediate visual impairments and secondary hematomas and edemas involving. The factors for the late appearance of visual impairments are numerous and often confounding. Material and methods: In the present research, we have a female patient D.A., aged 29, diagnosed with closed fracture in the right frontal lobe, irradiated to the optic canal; blindness in the right eye. Results: Break of the optical fibers is a result of bone fragments or of traction and torsion. Damage to the vessels of the optic nerve represents the main cause of blindness for most authors. Traction and torsion of the vessels at the moment of injury may cause thrombosis and small hemorrhages which lead to severe ischemia of the optical fibers. Conclusions: The optic nerve injury is produced by damaging the optic nerve within a craniocerebral trauma, through an indirect mechanism most of the times.