Case Report: Posterior Radiation Optic Neuropathy

Introduction Posterior radiation optic neuropathy is a rare but devastating complication of radiation treatment for head and neck tumors. Diagnosing posterior radiation optic neuropathy can be challenging because of nonspecific findings and an unpredictable time frame to initial presentation. Case Report We discuss a case of posterior radiation optic neuropathy in a patient aged 71 years. The patient underwent hypofractionated Gamma Knife radiation for a pituitary macroadenoma 2 years prior to experiencing sudden and progressive devastating vision loss. Unique to this case, the amount of radiation received was within safe guidelines. Conclusion Although a diagnosis of exclusion, posterior radiation optic neuropathy should be considered in patients with sudden visual change and a history of radiation for head or neck tumors. Without evidence-based treatments, the true aim is prevention of this destructive condition. As such, patients should be made aware of this risk even when treatment is within recommended amounts.