Compressive Optic Neuropathy Medication

Updated: Jan 23, 2023
  • Author: Amritha Kanakamedala, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy, Sr, MD  more...
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Medication

Medication Summary

Many cases of compressive optic neuropathy (eg, thyroid ophthalmopathy, orbital pseudotumor, lymphoma, sarcoid) will improve at least transiently with steroid treatment. Intravenous steroids may hasten visual recovery. It may be difficult to withdraw steroid treatment from such patients without deterioration of vision.

Biologic agents and immune mediators that target specific aspects of disease pathogenesis may have a role in inflammatory and autoimmune processes causing compressive optic neuropathy. However, the efficacy of these drugs has not been well studied. [23]

See Thyroid Ophthalmopathy for details of medical treatment.

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Corticosteroids

Class Summary

Treatment of compressive optic neuropathy.

Prednisone (Deltasone)

Used to suppress inflammatory response in order to reduce compression of optic nerve.

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