Ganglion cell complex analysis in Parkinson´s disease by optical coherence tomography

Abstract

AbstractPurpose To analyze the ganglion cell complex (GCC) by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in Parkinson´s disease and to correlate it with disease´s severity and duration.Methods We conducted a prospective, case‐control study, in healthy subjects and in patients with Parkinson´s disease (PD). Full ophthalmologic examination, OCT (Spectralis ®) and neurological evaluation were performed. Macular thickness of GCC (retinal ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer) were measured after manual segmentation.Results The study included 25 healthy subjects (25 eyes) and 25 patients (25 eyes) with PD. Age and sex did not differ between the two groups. A statistically significant decrease in the thickness of GCC was detected in the PD group compared to control (p<0,05). GCC thickness was inversely correlated with Parkinson´s disease severity and duration.Conclusion The decreased GCC thickness detected in this study goes in favor to the characteristic neurodegeneration of this disease. GCC analysis may contribute to the diagnosis and management of this pathology.