Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Analysis in Non-Glaucomatous Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome Patients

Abstract

Abstract Background Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) is a disorder characterized by the progressive accumulation of fibrillary extracellular deposits in several ocular tissues. It is an independent risk factor for glaucomatous optic nerve damage. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness analysis using optical coherence tomography is a documented investigative tool to detect glaucoma at an early stage. Objective The aim was to evaluate and compare RNFL thickness in PXS patients without glaucoma with their age- and sex-matched healthy controls and detect the possibility of early glaucomatous damage in patients with RNFL thinning. Study Design This was a cross sectional case–control study. Materials and Methods A total of 100 patients were included, of which 50 were cases (Group A) and 50 were controls (Group B). RNFL thickness of cases and controls were compared using Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT 500 (ZEISS Medical Technology, United States). Results There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to mean RFNL thickness in nasal (p = 0.129) and temporal quadrants (p = 0.832). The mean inferior RNFL thickness values were 112.9 ± 21.72 μm in Group A and 120.6 ± 10.35 μm in Group B (p = 0.002). The mean thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer in superior quadrant in Group A was 101.6 ± 23.16 μm, whereas it was 113.5 ± 13.47 μm in group B (p < 0.001). The average RFNL thickness in Group A was 85.1 ± 13.99 μm and it was 88.9 ± 7.01 μm in Group B (p = 0.017). Conclusion There was statistically significant difference in RNFL thickness between cases and controls in inferior and superior quadrants and in global average thickness.