Levodopa-Carbidopa May Improve Vision Loss in Indirect Traumatic Optic Neuropathy

Abstract To compare the effect of levodopa-carbidopa on the visual outcome of patients with indirect traumatic optic neuropathy (ITON), this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 32 patients with ITON within 6 days after trauma. Patients underwent a complete ocular examination, pattern visual evoked potential (PVEP) testing, and high-resolution orbital computed tomography (CT) scanning. All patients received high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone, and levodopa was also administered to the levodopa group. The main outcome measures were best corrected visual acuity and PVEP results at the last-completed examination. The study was completed on 16 patients in the levodopa group and 10 patients in the placebo group because the others were lost to follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences for age, sex, involved eye, ocular and CT scan findings, pretreatment visual acuity, frequency of recordable PVEPs, and follow-up. In the levodopa group the visual acuity im...