PARTIAL AVULSION OF THE OPTIC NERVE HEAD: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Avulsion of the optic nerve is a rare but quite serious injury characterized by severe and permanent visual impairment. It is mainly encountered in the working-age population, with a male predominance. In this paper, we describe the case of a 15-year-old patient who presented for an ophthalmological examination due to pain and sudden loss of vision in the left eye after an injury caused by a wooden object. Clinical and imaging examinations revealed a tissue defect at the level of the optic disc with surrounding intraretinal and preretinal hemorrhages and partial hemophthalmus in the central parts of the vitreous. A diagnosis of partial avulsion of the optic nerve papilla was made. The patient was evaluated over six months, during which there was a gradual resolution of the hemorrhages and a modest improvement in visual acuity. This case indicates the seriousness of the problem and the need for appropriate prevention as the most effective strategy in its management.