AIM: To present the efficacy of Endoscopic trans-ethmosphenoid optic canal decompression(ETOCD)combined with steroid and nerve growth factor(NGF)therapy in patients with short-time traumatic optic neuropathy(TON).

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 151 TON patients(151 eyes)were performed. Their first treatment were all initiated within 5 days of injury. All patients were treated with methylprednisolone for 3 days. There were 117 patients did not improve with methylprednisolone treatment were offered ETOCD. Local and systemic administration of steroid and NGF were given to them after surgery. According to the visual acuity(VA)preoperatively, all patients who underwent surgery were divided into Group A \〖no light perception(NLP)\〗 and Group B(with residual vision).

RESULTS:VA was improved in 70 of 117 patients after surgery, with a total efficacy of 59.8%. The effective rate of Group A and B were 44.8% and 80.0% respectively. Group B had significantly higher effectiveness rate than Group A(χ²=14.781, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: ETOCD combined with steroid and NGF may be an useful way to improve VA in short-time TON patients. Patients with preoperative residual vision had better prognosis in VA postoperatively. However, NLP patients may benefit from surgery as well.