Coherence Tomography Findings In Patients Research Articles

Macular Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Patients With Syphilitic Optic Neuropathy-A Case Series and Systematic Review.

Syphilis is a sexually or congenitally acquired infectious disease that can affect multiple organs systems, including the eye. When left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Syphilitic optic neuropathy can be difficult to diagnose because it can mimic many other nonsyphilitic causes of optic nerve involvement, leading to delay in treatment. Diagnosing ocular syphilis may be facilitated by assessing for specific outer retina abnormalities on macular optical coherence tomography (OCT). This was a case series and case-based systematic review. For the case series, a retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients who presented to a tertiary university-affiliated neuro-ophthalmology practice over 6 months with undifferentiated optic neuropathy and were eventually diagnosed with syphilitic optic neuropathy. For the systematic review, OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, and COCHRANE CENTRAL databases were searched to identify all cases of syphilitic optic neuropathy with macular OCT. The primary research outcome was the prevalence of cases with outer retinal abnormalities on OCT. Four cases were identified that were eligible for inclusion. The ages ranged from 27 to 62 years old, and 2 of the patients were female. On examination, vision ranged from Snellen 20/50 to hand motion; all patients had optic neuropathy, and macular OCT revealed chorioretinitis characterized by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) excrescences. The patients subsequently underwent uveitis workup and were diagnosed with syphilis. They were treated with intravenous penicillin and showed improvement in outer retina appearance on follow-up. The systematic review consisted of 24 cases and 35 eyes with syphilitic optic neuropathy and reported macular OCT findings. Eighty-three percent (20/24) were males, and the mean age was 47.7 years (SD: 49.2). The mean visual acuity at presentation was Snellen 20/57. On fundoscopy, 25.7% (9/35) of eyes had vitritis, whereas 22.8% (8/35) had placoid chorioretinal lesions. On OCT, 45.7% (16/35) of eyes had abnormal outer retina findings, most commonly disruption of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and/or RPE excrescences. All patients were treated with penicillin or ceftriaxone, and final mean visual acuity was Snellen 20/29. All 4 patients identified in the case series, and nearly half of patients with syphilitic optic neuropathy described in the literature had concurrent-specific outer retina abnormalities (disruption of EZ and/or placoid chorioretinitis in the form of RPE excrescences) seen on macular OCT. We recommend that clinicians obtain macular OCT for all patients presenting with undifferentiated optic neuropathy.

Evaluation of optical coherence tomography findings in patients with multiple sclerosis and glaucoma.

Glaucoma and multiple sclerosis (MS) can cause optic disc pathology and, in this way, affect optical coherence tomography (OCT) data. In this context, the objective of this study is to investigate the changes in the mean, quadrant, and sector data measured by OCT in glaucoma and MS patients. The sample of this prospective cohort study consisted of 42 MS patients (84 eyes), 34 Primary open-angle glaucomas patients (67 eyes), and 24 healthy control subjects (48 eyes). The MS group was divided into two groups according to the presence of a history of optic neuritis. Accordingly, those with a history of optic neuritis were included in the MS ON group, and those without a history of optic neuritis were included in the MS NON group. The differences between these groups in the mean, quadrant, and sector data related to the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) were evaluated. Superior nasal (SN), superior temporal (ST), inferior nasal (IN), and superior quadrant (SUP) values were significantly lower in the glaucoma group than in the MS group (p < 0.05). The mean superior GCC (GCC SUP) value was significantly lower in the MS ON group than in the glaucoma group (p < 0.05). On the other hand, SN, ST, inferior temporal (IT), IN, average RNFL (AVE RNFL), semi-average superior RNFL (SUP AVE RNFL), semi-average inferior RNFL (INF AVE RNFL), SUP, and inferior quadrant RNFL (INF) values were significantly lower in the glaucoma group than in the MS NON group (p < 0.05). RNFL and GCC parameters get thinner in MS and glaucoma patients. While the inferior and superior RNFL quadrants are more frequently affected in glaucoma patients, the affected quadrants vary according to the presence of a history of optic neuritis in MS patients. It is noteworthy that the GCC superior quadrant was thin in MS ON patients. The findings of this study indicate that OCT data may be valuable in the differential diagnosis of glaucoma and MS.

Evaluation and comparison of microperimetry and optical coherence tomography findings in patients with Behçet uveitis.

To evaluate and compare the findings of MP and OCT in patients with inactive Behçet's uveitis (BU). Sixty-five eyes of 38 patients were included in this retrospective study. Ophthalmologic examination findings and OCT and MP results were recorded. The relationship between best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), duration of uveitis, central macular thickness (CMT), presence of photoreceptor zone (PZ), and/or retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) damage, macular integrity index, mean threshold and fixation stability was analyzed. There was a positive correlation between BCVA and CMT (p < 0.001). The eyes with PZ and/or RPE damage had significantly lower visual acuity (p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between BCVA and macular integrity index (p = 0.005). BCVA showed positive correlations with mean threshold and fixation stability [(BCVA vs. mean threshold, p < 0.001), (BCVA vs. P1, p < 0.001), and (BCVA vs. P2, p < 0.001)]. While there was no significant correlation between CMT and macular integrity index (p = 0.08), both mean threshold and fixation stability were significantly positively correlated with CMT [(CMT vs. mean threshold, p = 0.01), (CMT vs. P1, p = 0.008), and (CMT vs. P2, p = 0.005)]. Mean threshold and fixation stability (P1 and P2) were significantly lower in the eyes with PZ and/or RPE damage (p = 0.008, p = 0.02, and p = 0.01, respectively). MP showed results consistent with visual acuity and morphological findings by OCT in patients with inactive BU. Although MP is promising for patient follow-up, controlled prospective studies are needed.

Neuropsychological and Clinical Correlations of Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Patients with Schizophrenia

Objective: There are increasing studies examining retinal fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thinning in patients with schizophrenia. However, the results are controversial, and clinical and cognitive reflections of these findings remain unclear. With this study, we aim to examine retinal abnormalities and establish correlations with cognitive and clinical parameters.&#x0D; Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we examined 29 patients with schizophrenia and 13 age and gender-matched healthy controls. All participants underwent psychometric assessment, neuropsychological tests, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements. The retinal fiber layer and ganglion cell layer thickness were used as retinal parameters.&#x0D; Results: Five patients dropped out during the OCT measurement process, 24 patients with schizophrenia and nine healthy controls were included in the analysis. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in measuring retinal nerve fiber layer or ganglion cell layer thicknesses. The verbal fluency test score negatively correlated with left RNFL superior ( ρ – .422, p

Evaluation of optic coherence tomography findings in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BackgroundOcular complications are known to appear in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Among these, posterior segment complications can lead to substantial morbidity. The aim of the study is to evaluate the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), and macula thickness measurement in patients with IBD. MethodsA total of 118 patients with IBD (42 Crohn's disease (CD), 76 ulcerative colitis (UC)) and 52 healthy subjects were included in the study. RNFL, GCIPL, and macula thickness were measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). ResultsThe central macular thickness was increased, mean and all superior quadrants of GCIPL thickness measurements were significantly decreased, but RNFL thickness wasn't changed in CD compared to healthy subjects. Although the central macular thickness increased, no change was observed in mean RNFL and GCIPL in UC compared to healthy subjects. Mean RNFL, GCIPL, and macular thickness did not differ during the remission and active phases of the disease in IBD. There was no difference in RNFL, GCIPL, and macular thicknesses in CD patients in terms of the location and behavior of the disease. A significant thickness increase was found in extensive type UC for inferior RNFL value compared to the left side and proctitis. ConclusionsIBD may cause an increase in macular thickness. This finding may be related to the inflammation or ischemia of the retina. The use of SD-OCT in ophthalmologic examination in patients with IBD may enable early detection of retinal changes and alert the clinician to complications of IBD.

Evaluation of the optical coherence tomography findings of patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane.

This study aimed to determine the relationship between basal visual acuity (VA) and basal optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters of patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM). The study included 200 eyes of 200 patients with iERM. In the evaluation of basal VAs, logMAR 0.3 (0.5 on Snellen chart) was accepted as the limit, and the patients were divided into two groups as Group 1 with VA values below logMAR 0.3 and Group 2 with those above logMAR 0.3. Using OCT, the ellipsoid zone (EZ), interdigitation zone (IZ), external limiting membrane (ELM) integrity, peaked appearance of EZ in the fovea, disorganization of the inner retinal layers (DRIL), central foveal thickness (CFT), maximum retinal thickness (MRT), total photoreceptor length (TPL), photoreceptor outer segment length (PROSL), photoreceptor deformity index (PDI), and inner retinal layer irregularity index (IRLII) were evaluated and compared between the groups. There were an equal number of patients in Group 1 and Group 2. The preservation of ELM, EZ, and IZ integrity and the peaked appearance of EZ in the fovea were observed at higher rates in Group 1, whereas the rate of DRIL was higher in Group 2 (p<0.05 for all). In the multiple regression analysis performed to evaluate categorical OCT parameters, only the presence of DRIL was found to be significantly associated with VA (p<0.003). CFT*, MRT*, and IRLII** were significantly lower in Group 1 (*p<0.001, **p=0.001). TPU, PROSL, and FDI were similar between the two groups (p>0.05 for all). According to the multiple regression analysis, only the presence of DRIL was correlated with lower VA values. Among the OCT parameters, an increase in CFT and MRT, as well as the IRLII value moving away from 1 were related to lower VA values.

Relationship between optical coherence tomography findings and clinical variables in patients with opiate use disorder.

This study aimed to examine optical coherence tomography findings in patients with opiate use disorder by comparing them with healthy controls. The study included 30 opiate use disorder patients and 30 controls. The participants' detailed biomicroscopic examinations, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and both eye examinations were evaluated. A total of 120 eyes were evaluated using optical coherence tomography, measuring the central macular thickness, mean macular thickness, mean macular volume and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. Moreover, all participants filled in the demographic data form and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Upon examination of the optical coherence tomography findings, central macular thickness, mean macular thickness, and mean macular volume were thinner in both eyes in patients with opiate use disorder (p<0.01 in all measurements in both eyes). Similarly, the total values of the superior quadrant and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were statistically significant in both eyes compared to that in the control group (p=0.007, p=0.002; p=0.049, p=0.007, in the right and left eyes, respectively). Only the left eye was positively correlated with retinal nerve fiber layer superior quadrant measurement and hospitalization (r=0.380, p=0.039). Our results revealed that the patients' central macular thickness, mean macular thickness, and mean macular volume values were thinner. Increase in the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness superior quadrant thickness and total value was also observed. Further studies with larger sampling groups that evaluate neuroimaging findings should be conducted.

Optical coherence tomography findings in patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia

BackgroundStructural ophthalmologic findings have been reported in patients with β-thalassemia due to chronic anemia, iron overload, and iron chelation therapy toxicity in few previous studies. We aimed to investigate structural ocular findings and their relationship with hematological parameters in patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, from January 2018 to January 2019, 39 patients with TDT over the age of 18 participated. Multicolor fundus imaging, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and blue light fundus autofluorescence imaging were performed for all patients and 27 age- and sex-matched controls.ResultsThe mean age of patients was 28.6 ± 6.2 years. The central macular thickness and macular thicknesses in all quadrants were significantly thinner in patients than controls (P<0.05). None of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurements were significantly different between TDT patients and controls. There was a significantly negative correlation between hemoglobin with central macula thickness (r=-0.439, P=0.005). All measurements of macular subfield thickness were insignificantly thinner in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) compared to the non-DM subgroup.ConclusionsMacular thickness was significantly thinner in central macula and entire quadrants in TDT patients compared to healthy individuals; however, all RNFL measurement thicknesses were comparable between the two groups. Close monitoring of TDT patients by periodic ophthalmologic examinations with more focus on diabetic patients, patients with severe anemia and iron overload should be warranted.

Optical coherence tomography findings in patients with beta thalassemia major

Optical coherence tomography findings in patients with beta thalassemia major

Examination of optical coherence tomography findings in patients with methamphetamine use disorder

Objective In our study, we aimed to examine Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) findings in patients diagnosed with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) by comparing them with healthy controls. Methods Sixty-five people were included in our study and 130 eyes were evaluated; 33 cases were included in the patient group with MUD according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and 32 as the healthy control group. Detailed biomicroscopic examinations and then both eyes were evaluated through OCT by the same ophthalmologist. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the patient and control groups in terms of gender and age (p > 0.05). When the OCT findings were evaluated, the measurements of the patients in any quadrant for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) were not statistically different from the control group (p > 0.05). Macula and choroidal layer thickness did not differ between the groups (p > 0.05). Only right intraocular pressure was found to be decreased in the patient group (p = 0.026). Conclusions There are a limited number of studies examining OCT findings in patients with MUD. Visual symptoms and intraocular pressure should be considered when evaluating patients with MUD and planning their treatment. In addition; in order for OCT findings to gain importance, which can be used as an effective method to show the possible neurodegeneration that may occur in substance use disorder, it should be supported with further research.

Expanded Spectrum of Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Patients with Ocular Toxoplasmosis

ABSTRACT Purpose To describe the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis at different stages of activity. Methods Observational case series. Results A total of 32 eyes of 31 patients were included; 43 sets of OCT were reviewed. A total of 14 lesions were classified as active, 13 as partially active, and 16 as inactive. All active lesions demonstrated increased retinal thickness and reflectivity with blurring of details of retinal layers. Choroidal granuloma was detected in eight (61.5%) and serous retinal detachment in nine (64%). In partially active lesions, sustained thickening and/or attachment of posterior hyaloid face with fine epiretinal membrane was the hallmark. Scarified lesions showed decreased retinal and choroidal thickness starting from the periphery. Characteristic signs for decreased activity of a lesion seen in majority of both partially active and inactive lesions were RPE changes and retina-RPE approximation. We called this unique feature ‘hourglass configuration’. Conclusion Features in OCT are helpful to specify and monitor the activity of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography findings of patients with pars planitis and risk factors affecting visual acuity.

To evaluate spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings of 42 eyes with pars planitis and to identify risk factors affecting visual acuity. Medical records and SD-OCT findings were retrospectively reviewed. Mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.248 ± 0.3 on the logMAR scale at baseline. SD-OCT findings included epiretinal membrane (ERM) in 16 (38.1%) eyes, loss of normal foveal contour appearance in 8 (19.0%), ellipsoid zone (EZ) damage in 5 (11.9%), external limiting membrane (ELM) damage in 3 (7.1%), disruption of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in 2 (4.8%), and macular atrophy in 1 (2.4%). There was macular edema in 10 (23.8%) eyes [cystoid macular edema (CME) in 8 (19.0%), diffuse macular edema (DME) in 6 (14.3%), and serous retinal detachment in 2 (4.8%)]. The mean central macular thickness (CMT) was 272.1 ± 319.5μm. Patients were followed up for a mean of 50.6 ± 36.7months. Mean BCVA was 0.210 ± 0.3 at the final evaluation. SD-OCT findings included ERM in 28 (66.7%) eyes, EZ damage in 6 (14.3%), ELM damage in 3 (7.1%), disruption of RPE in 4 (9.5%), loss of normal foveal contour appearance in 12 (28.6%), and macular atrophy in 2 (4.8%). There was CME and/or DME in 6 (14.3%) eyes. The mean CMT was 238 ± 220.9μm and was significantly lower than the baseline (p < 0.001). According to multivariate linear regression analysis, the presence of DME, and loss of normal foveal contour appearance at baseline were the independent factors associated with BCVA at the final examination (B = 0.726, p < 0.001; B = 0.766, p < 0.001, respectively). DME and loss of normal foveal contour appearance were more likely to have adverse effects on visual acuity.

Optical Coherence Tomography findings in patients with Multiple Substance Use Disorder

Objective Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a relatively new diagnosis method displaying biological tissue layers by with high-resolution sections. In the present study, the purpose was to examine the OCT findings of patients with Multiple Substance Use Disorder (MSUD) by comparing these findings with healthy controls. Methods The study included 30 MSUD and 30 controls. Detailed biomicroscopic examinations were carried out for all participants, and intraocular pressure, followed by OCT. The central macular thickness (CMT), mean macular thickness (MMT), mean macular volume (MMV), and retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFL) were measured by using OCT. Results It was determined that the MMT and CMT were thinned in both eyes compared to the healthy controls. The MMV was decreased in both eyes in patients with substance use disorders compared to healthy controls. The RNFL and total thickness were thickened in temporal and inferior parts in patients with MSUD in both eyes compared to healthy. In the superior quadrant, thickening was detected only in the left eye. Conclusions Based on our results obtained here, it was concluded that vision-related findings should be carefully questioned and evaluated when treatment is planned for patients with substance use.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography findings of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible effects of (ankylosing spondylitis) AS on choroidal thickness (CT) and other retinal layers using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). This cross-sectional study group comprised 41 AS patients and age and sex-matched 46 control subjects. None of our patients had active anterior uveitis during the measurements. We evaluated and compared CT, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness, focal loss volume (FLV) and global loss volume (GLV) of the participants. The CT of the patients at 1500 µm (286.20 µm ± 65.81), 1000 µm (309.55 µm ± 85.33) nasally to the fovea and subfoveal layer (339.93 µm ± 69.93) were thicker than in controls (p = 0.007, p = 0.037, p = 0.008). Except nasal layer, all RNFL layers were significantly thinner than controls (p < 0.001). GCC and macular thickness were also thinner than controls (p < 0.001). In conclusion, present findings may suggest that the AS disease may affect the choroidal, RNFL and GCC thickness by disease's own inflammatory effect, independently from the uveitis history.

Relationship Between Final Visual Acuity and Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema Undergoing Anti-VEGF Therapy

Objectives:To identify the prevalence of findings in optical coherence tomography (OCT) sections before intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), and to evaluate the relationship between these findings and final visual acuity and number of injections.Materials and Methods:This retrospective study included 296 eyes of 191 patients (104 male, 87 female) who started intravitreal ranibizumab treatment after being diagnosed with DME in the retina unit between January 2013 and April 2017 were included the study. Spectral domain OCT findings at the time of presentation such as presence of serous macular detachment (SD), vitreomacular traction (VMT), and epiretinal membrane (ERM) were recorded. In addition, the regularity of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and inner retinal layers was also studied.Results:The mean central retinal thickness measured in SD-OCT was 449±81 μm before treatment and 350±96 μm after treatment (p<0.001). SD was detected in 155 eyes (52.4%), ERM in 67 eyes (22.6%), and VMT in 9 eyes (3%). Thirty eyes (10.1%) had disorganization of the retinal inner layers (DRIL) and 54 eyes (18.2%) had EZ deterioration. The presence of ERM, EZ irregularity, and DRIL were associated with significantly lower final visual acuity (p<0.0001), while there was no relationship between pre-treatment SD and final visual acuity (p=0.11). Injection number was higher in eyes with SD and ERM compared to those without, but this difference was statistically significant only in the presence of SD (p=0.01 and p=0.59, respectively). There was no difference in injection number according to EZ irregularity or presence of DRIL.Conclusion:The coexistence of SD with DME was associated with increased need for treatment but not with final visual acuity. EZ irregularities, DRIL, and ERM are findings that negatively affect visual acuity.

Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Patients With Ocular Toxoplasmosis

Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Patients With Ocular Toxoplasmosis

Optical coherence tomography findings in patients with alcohol use disorder and their relationship with clinical parameters

Purpose: In our study, we aimed to investigate the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness (GCIPL), retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFL), mean macular volume (MMV), central macular thickness (CMT), mean macular thickness (MMT), and choroidal thickness (CT) values with optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients who are diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD).Materials and methods: The study included 43 patients who were diagnosed with AUD, and 43 healthy controls. Detailed biomicroscopic examinations of all the participants, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, anterior and posterior segment examinations, and then, OCT measurements were carried out.Results: Although the measured values for RNFL in the superior and temporal quadrant are within normal limits, they were slightly higher compared to those in the control group (p values 0.127 and 0.191 for superior quadrant and temporal quadrant, respectively). The CT measurements in all quadrants were higher than the control group; however, these measurements were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). When the relation between clinical features and OCT findings of the patients were examined, it was determined that the ages of the patients were statistically significantly and inversely correlated with the temporal CT and also the nasal and temporal quadrants of RNFL.Conclusions: Our study is the first study that examines the retinal GCIPL and CT with OCT in patients who are diagnosed with AUD. In our results, it was determined that there were no statistically significant differences between the participants in terms of OCT parameters. Further studies with larger sampling groups evaluating neurotransmission findings may provide wider results.

One-year optical coherence tomography findings in patients with late and very-late stent thrombosis treated with intravascular imaging guided percutaneous coronary intervention.

Patients with late/very-late stent thrombosis (ST) are at high risk of recurrent-ST. The mechanisms of recurrent-ST are largely unknown. The objective is to describe the 1-year optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of patients suffering from late/very-late ST treated with intravascular imaging guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). All consecutive patients with late/very-late ST undergoing intravascular imaging guided PCI were screened to undergo coronary angiography and OCT examination at 1year. Patients were classified according to the observation of stent malapposition as most contributing cause of the ST. Thirty-four patients were included. Stent malapposition was observed in 17 (50%) and the remaining 17 cases were classified as: neoatherosclerosis (n = 9), underexpansion (n = 3) and unknown mechanism (n = 5). Patients with malapposition had a remarkable reduction of the malapposition volume (from 6.4 to 1.3mm3; p = 0.02) during the ST procedure, but this was not fully corrected in 13 (76.5%). At 12 months, two patients of the malapposition group presented with uneventful target vessel re-occlusion. Persistent malapposition was observed in nine patients (60.0%). Major coronary evaginations (46.7 vs. 0%; p = 0.001) and uncovered struts (6.3 vs. 1.0%; p < 0.001) were also more frequent in patients with malapposition than without malapposition. None of the patients had thin-cap fibroatheroma neoatherosclerosis. Contributing causes of late/very-late ST are diverse and have different healing patterns at 12months. Patients with stent malapposition treated with intravascular imaging guided PCI showed poor re-healing; but patients with other causes of the ST showed optimal stent healing as assessed by OCT.

Characteristic optical coherence tomography findings in patients with primary vitreoretinal lymphoma: a novel aid to early diagnosis

BackgroundThe diagnosis of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) poses significant difficulties; presenting features are non-specific and confirmation usually necessitates invasive vitreoretinal biopsy. Diagnosis is often delayed, resulting in increased morbidity and...

Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Patients of Parkinson's Disease: An Indian Perspective.

Background:Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative movement disorders and its incidence is increasing worldwide along with population aging. Previous clinical and histologic studies suggest that the neurodegenerative process, which affects the brain, may also affect the retina of PD patients.Objective:The objective of this study was to determine the thickness changes of retina nerve fibers and macular volume with optical coherence tomography (OCT) in PD patients.Materials and Methods:The spectral domain OCT was used to assess the thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular volume from 34 PD patients and 50 healthy age-matched controls.Results:Compared with healthy age-matched controls, the RNFL thickness of PD patients was much thinner (P < 0.05) in all retinal quadrants, with temporal thinning being more than nasal thinning. Macular volumes were diminished in both perifoveal and outer macular regions in all sectors (P < 0.05) with preserved foveal volume. The degree of tissue loss corroborated with the severity of disease as objectively assessed by standardized rating scales (UPDRS).Conclusion:There is generalized retinal nerve degeneration in patients of PD and the degree of loss correlated with the severity and duration of disease.