Characteristics of retinal layer thickness in acute anterior uveitis: an optical coherence tomography study.

Abstract

To determine the changes in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), macular and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thicknesses in patients with acute anterior uveitis (AAU). Patients diagnosed with unilateral non-infectious AAU and normal control were enrolled retrospectively. Optical coherence tomography scans were performed during the initial active phase and inactive phase of AAU. Patients were followed for at least 3months after resolution of inflammatory activity. Thirty-seven AAU patients and 40 controls were included. The average RNFL and central macular thickness (CMT) showed significant differences between patients and control groups during active phase (p<0.001 and p=0.022, respectively). The average pRNFL thicknesses of affected eyes and fellow eyes during the active phase were 109.4±12.5μm and 96.5±8.0μm, respectively (p<0.001). During the inactive phase, the average thicknesses were 99.3±8.9μm and 97.0±7.5, respectively; they were not significantly different (p=0.236). The CMTs of affected and fellow eyes during the active phase were 261.6±24.7μm and 251.5±17.3μm, respectively; the difference was significant (p=0.047). The average GC-IPL thicknesses of affected and fellow eyes were not significantly different (p=0.061). The pRNFL and central macula thickened during the active phase of AAU and decreased to a similar degree with fellow eyes during the inactive phase. Additionally, pRNFL thickness showed a sensitive response to the degree of inflammation in AAU. This suggests that pRNFL thickness may be useful in assessing disease activity.