AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine combined with Western medicine(TCM-WM)in the treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy(TON).

METHODS:The computer searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database(CBM), Wan-Fang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)database and Weipu database. Search time was limited from their inception to May 2020. A comprehensive search strategy was designed to identify all randomized controlled trials(RCTs)comparing TCM-WM therapy versus WM therapy alone. The methodological quality of the included trials was assessed by the quality grade evaluation used in Cochrane handbook. Data extraction and Meta-analysis were performed by RevMan5.3 statistical software.

RESULTS: Twelve RCTs were included. The Meta-analysis showed that compared with the WM therapy alone in treating TON, TCM-WM therapy was better in improving the effective rate \〖RR=1.33, 95% CI(1.23-1.45), P<0.001\〗, visual acuity \〖MD=0.18,95% CI(0.14-0.23), P<0.001\〗, visual field mean defect \〖MD=-3.08, 95% CI(-5.20-0.96), P=0.004\〗, P₁₀₀ lantency \〖MD=-9.47, 95% CI(-16.37-2.57), P=0.007\〗 as well as P₁₀₀ amplitude \〖MD=1.44, 95% CI (0.22-2.66), P=0.02\〗. Two researches reported the occurrence and treatment of adverse reactions, and the remaining included researches did not report the adverse reactions.

CONCLUSION:The TCM-WM therapy in treating TON is more effective compared with the WM therapy alone.