This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 171 acute optic neuropathy (AON) patients, and to compare the findings to those previously reported on 366 rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) patients. PTSD positively screened AON patients underwent a structured psychiatric interview and a Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ). Clinical measures were retrieved from medical records and compared between cohorts. None of the AON patients was diagnosed with PTSD, as opposed to 2.5% of RRD patients (P = 0.063). Of the AON cohort, 34% of patients were administered steroids, compared to none of the RRD patients, whereas all of the RRD patients underwent surgery, compared to none of the AON patients (P < 0.001). Clinical measures and VFQ scores were not found as risk factors for PTSD prediction. Results imply the potential role of surgery and of steroid treatment in developing PTSD in cases of ocular insults.
Keywords: Acute optic neuropathy; posttraumatic stress disorder; rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.