Evidence for orbital deformation that may contribute to monocular blindness following minor frontal head trauma.

ABSTRACT

Traction injury to the optic nerve and vasa nervorum is the suggested etiology for monocular blindness following trivial frontal trauma. Holographic interferometry was used on human skulls to demonstrate orbital deformation in response to nondestructive frontal loading. The findings suggest an additional mechanism for energy dissipation and therefore for optic nerve injury following frontal impact.