Ten years without orbital optic nerve: late clinical results after removal of retrobulbar gliomas with preservation of blind eyes.

Surgical removal of gliomas of the orbital optic nerve by the transconjunctival approach with preservation of the associated eyes was successful and has been reported in several cases. The central retinal arteries in the anterior optic nerves were proven histologically to have been excised along with the gliomas in all cases. Due to suspected variations of blood supply, however, the retinal blood vessels postoperatively remained blood-filled in these blind eyes, and the eyes could be maintained. Follow-up of about 10 years in two cases with surviving blind eyes after surgical excision of large optic nerve gliomas revealed normal development of lids and orbit, good muscle function, and relatively good cosmetic appearance as well as satisfied patients.