Nasal Superior Sector Research Articles

Reduction in Retinal Ganglion Cell Layer, Inner Plexiform Layer, and Choroidal Thickness in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), choroidal layer, inner plexiform layer (IPL), and ganglion cell layer (GCL) in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, we measured the thickness of the RNFL, GCL, IPL, and choroidal thickness using a spectral optical coherence tomography (OCT) device and we compared the results between the children diagnosed with ASD and healthy controls. Correlation between the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the OCT data was evaluated. Both ASD and control group consisted of 40 subjects (30 males and 10 females). Of the children in the ASD group, 29 had normal intelligence and 11 had mild intellectual disability (MID). The mean age of patients in the ASD group and control groups were 9.77 ± 3.37 years and 9.85 ± 3.97 years (p = 0.928). There was a statistically significant difference between the ASD group and the control group in the nasal and nasal-superior sectors of the RNFL layers in the left eye when all the lower layers of RNFL were assessed. In both eyes, the children with ASD had considerably lower mean choroidal thicknesses than the controls. When compared to the controls, the GCL and IPL volumes in the individuals with ASD were considerably lower in both eyes. Compared to the MID group, the left GCL volume of the nasal-inferior group was noticeably higher. A significant correlation was found between CARS scores and left GCL left IPL. In contrast to RNFL in the ASD group, significant reductions in IPL, GCL, and choroidal thickness were observed in both eyes. It is thought that GCL may be a much more important biomarker than RNFL in terms of representing the structural deterioration in the brain. In addition, these results may form the basis for a new perspective on the use of OCT for the diagnosis and clinical course of autism.

Testing for pharmacogenomic predictors of ppRNFL thinning in individuals exposed to vigabatrin.

The anti-seizure medication vigabatrin (VGB) is effective for controlling seizures, especially infantile spasms. However, use is limited by VGB-associated visual field loss (VAVFL). The mechanisms by which VGB causes VAVFL remains unknown. Average peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (ppRNFL) thickness correlates with the degree of visual field loss (measured by mean radial degrees). Duration of VGB exposure, maximum daily VGB dose, and male sex are associated with ppRNFL thinning. Here we test the hypothesis that common genetic variation is a predictor of ppRNFL thinning in VGB exposed individuals. Identifying pharmacogenomic predictors of ppRNFL thinning in VGB exposed individuals could potentially enable safe prescribing of VGB and broader use of a highly effective drug. Optical coherence topography (OCT) and GWAS data were processed from VGB-exposed individuals (n = 71) recruited through the EpiPGX Consortium. We conducted quantitative GWAS analyses for the following OCT measurements: (1) average ppRNFL, (2) inferior quadrant, (3) nasal quadrant, (4) superior quadrant, (5) temporal quadrant, (6) inferior nasal sector, (7) nasal inferior sector, (8) superior nasal sector, and (9) nasal superior sector. Using the summary statistics from the GWAS analyses we conducted gene-based testing using VEGAS2. We conducted nine different PRS analyses using the OCT measurements. To determine if VGB-exposed individuals were predisposed to having a thinner RNFL, we calculated their polygenic burden for retinal thickness. PRS alleles for retinal thickness were calculated using published summary statistics from a large-scale GWAS of inner retinal morphology using the OCT images of UK Biobank participants. The GWAS analyses did not identify a significant association after correction for multiple testing. Similarly, the gene-based and PRS analyses did not reveal a significant association that survived multiple testing. We set out to identify common genetic predictors for VGB induced ppRNFL thinning. Results suggest that large-effect common genetic predictors are unlikely to exist for ppRNFL thinning (as a marker of VAVFL). Sample size was a limitation of this study. However, further recruitment is a challenge as VGB is rarely used today because of this adverse reaction. Rare variants may be predictors of this adverse drug reaction and were not studied here.

Automated macular segmentation can distinguish glaucomatous from compressive optic neuropathy

PurposeTo compare macular damage in glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) and compressive optic neuropathy (CON) and assess its diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing between diseases.MethodsObservational, cross-sectional, single-center study. Patients with GON, CON, and healthy controls were included according to the eligibility criteria. An automated spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) algorithm was used to segment the circumpapilary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) and macula. The layer thickness was measured in each sector according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study and the 6-sector Garway-Heath-based grids. Data was compared across all study groups, and the significance level was set at 0.05.ResultsSeventy-five eyes of 75 participants, 25 with GON, 25 with CON, and 25 healthy controls (CG), were included. Macular thickness was diminished in the ganglion cell complex of GON and CON patients compared to CG (p<0.05). The best Garway-Heath-based grid parameters for distinguishing GON and CON were the nasal-inferior (NI) and nasal-superior sectors and the NI/temporal inferior (TI) damage ratios in the macular ganglion cell (mGCL) and inner plexiform (IPL) layers. Moreover, the combination of the NI sector and NI/TI damage ratios in both layers had higher discriminative power (AUC 0.909; 95% CI 0.830–0.988; p<0.001) than combining parameters in each layer separately.ConclusionOur findings suggest that the evaluation of macular segmented layers damage by SD-OCT may be a helpful add-on tool in the differential diagnosis between GON and CON.

Peripapillary and Macular Vascular Density in Patients With Preperimetric and Early Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

Decreased circumpapillary vascular density (cpVD) and average retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness were detected at different locations in eyes with preperimetric glaucoma (PPG). Although RNFL loss was more prominent in preperimetric eyes, in early glaucoma, both cpVD and RNFL thickness showed comparable diagnostic ability. To evaluate changes in circumpapillary and macular vascular density and investigate correlations between vascular and structural parameters in PPG and early glaucoma. This cross-sectional study included a total of 27 patients with PPG in 1 eye and early primary open angle glaucoma in the fellow eye, as well as a control group consisting of 27 eyes of 27 healthy volunteers. All subjects underwent optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging. RNFL and macular ganglion cell complex measurements were obtained simultaneously with vascular parameters by AngioVue OCTA using the single-scan protocol. cpVD was examined in 8 sectors. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. In preperimetric eyes, average RNFL thickness and whole-image vessel density had comparable diagnostic performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve =0.853 and 0.753, respectively). Compared with the control group, PPG eyes had significantly lower RNFL thickness in all quadrants (P<0.001-0.003) except for the temporal quadrant, whereas cpVD differed only in the nasal inferior and nasal superior sectors (P=0.001 and 0.041, respectively). In early glaucoma eyes, cpVD differed significantly from controls in all sectors except for the inferotemporal, temporal inferior, and temporal superior sectors, whereas perifoveal macular vascular parameters differed in all quadrants (all P<0.05). cpVD was strongly correlated with RNFL thickness in the superior, nasal, and temporal quadrants (r=0.664, 0.698, and 0.649, respectively, P<0.001) and moderately correlated in the inferior quadrant (r=0.450, P<0.001). Although RNFL involvement is valuable in the diagnosis and follow-up of PPG, the change in nasal cpVD has an important place in these patients. The role of macular vascular parameters and macular ganglion cell complex in glaucoma follow-up becomes important in early glaucoma. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the place of OCTA in the diagnosis and follow-up of glaucoma.

Changes in circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

The study aimed to evaluate the long-term changes in circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. A total of 33 eyes of 33 patients were enrolled. By using optical coherence tomography, the circumpapillary RNFL thickness was measured before surgery and 1, 3, 6 months and 1, 2, 3 years after surgery and compared with the preoperative value. The effect of duration, location, and extent of RRD on RNFL thickness change was evaluated. There was a significant increase of circumpapillary RNFL thickness at the 1-month, 3-month [except in the nasal superior sector (P = 0.627)], and only in the nasal inferior sector at 6-month (P = 0.010) follow-up compared with the baseline value (all Ps < 0.05). No significant differences were observed 1, 2, and 3 years after the surgery (P > 0.05). The duration, location, and extent of detachment did not reveal significant correlations with RNFL parameters (P > 0.05). Circumpapillary RNFL thickness in eyes with RRD after vitrectomy demonstrated a transient increase during the early postoperative period. This increase was not associated with duration, location, and extent of RRD. At 3 years following surgery, no RNFL thinning or thickening was observed.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in children with β-thalassemia major

Background β-thalassemia major, a disease of defective globin β-chain synthesis, is characterized by anemia caused by a combination of hemolysis, ineffective erythropoiesis, and iron overload. Children with β-thalassemia major are liable to impairments in the retinal microvasculature. The progressive retinal and retinal pigment epithelium pathologies caused by deferoxamine may lead to visual loss.Purpose The aim of this study was to measure the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in children with β-thalassemia major and to compare it with a healthy control group.Patients and methods This is a cross-sectional study that included 15 patients with β-thalassemia major and 15 healthy children as a control group, who were recruited from the Pediatric Department, Menoufia University Hospital, Shebin El Kom, Menoufia, Egypt, from March 2020 to December 2020. All children were subjected to a standard ophthalmological examination. The RNFL thickness measurements were performed by Spectralis Heidelberg optical coherence tomography.Results The mean hemoglobin level was statistically significantly less in the β-thalassemia major group (6.79±0.69 g/dl) compared with the control group (13.67±0.57 g/dl) (P<0.001). The serum ferritin level was significantly increased among the β-thalassemia major group (4280.0±1250.83 ng/ml) compared with the control group (60.70±92.46 ng/ml) (P<0.001). The mean blood transfusion history among patients with β-thalassemia was 1.07±3.37/month. The nasal superior, nasal inferior, and nasal sectors were significantly thinner in patients with β-thalassemia major than in the control group (P<0.05). In patients with β-thalassemia major, the average RNFL thickness and each individual quadrant RNFL thickness (temporal, temporal inferior, and nasal inferior) were not statistically significantly correlated with serum ferritin and serum hemoglobin (P>0.05). On the contrary, the nasal superior sector was significantly correlated with serum hemoglobin, whereas the temporal superior and nasal sectors were significantly correlated with serum ferritin (P<0.05).Conclusions The RNFL was thinner in patients with β-thalassemia major compared with the control group. The RNFL thickness was positively correlated with the decreasing hemoglobin level.

Bruch membrane opening-minimum rim width and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in myopic children

Background/objectivesIt is debatable whether the decrease of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in myopic people under 18 years of age is due to insufficient measurement techniques or to real physical loss of retinal ganglion cells and axons. Hence, to better understand the relationship between the degree of myopia and the neuroretinal rim (NR), we aim to investigate the NR in the eyes of healthy myopic children using the novel measurement algorithms of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Subjects/methodsThis prospective, cross-sectional study includes 378 left eyes of 378 (301 female) participants divided into three groups according to their spherical equivalent (SE) refractive error (RE) [Group-1(G1), -1.00 ≤ SE ≤ 1.00 diopters (D); Group-2 (G2), -4.00 ≤ SE < -1.00 D; Group-3 (G3), SE<-4.00 D]. All participants underwent a full ophthalmic examination, including biometric and pachymetric measurements. Standard peripapillary RNFL, as well as the novel algorithms, Bruch's membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW), and RNFL acquired using the anatomic positioning system (APS-RNFL) were obtained by SD-OCT. Nasal, temporal, temporal-inferior, temporal-superior, nasal-inferior, nasal-superior sectors’ and their general (global) averages were recorded. Rim areas and disc sizes were measured via confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. Global and the six sectors’ averages were recorded. ResultsG1 consisted of 141 subjects, G2 consisted of 89, and G3 consisted of 48. The sex distribution (p = 0.112) and mean age (p = 0.129) of the groups were similar. The mean global averages of the standard RNFLs were 96 ± 14.4 µ in G1, 93.8 ± 12.9 µ in G2, and 86 ± 11.8 µ in G3. The mean global averages of the APS-RNFLs were 103.9 ± 97 µ in G1, 103.3 ± 10.6 µ in G2, and 102 ± 10.6 µ in G3. The mean global averages of the BMO-MRW were 374.4 ± 57.7 µ in G1, 373.2 ± 62.2 µ in G2, and 351.9 ± 63.9 µ in G3. For the global averages, APS-RNFL and BMO-MRW did not detect any difference between the three groups (p = 0.563, p = 0.089, respectively), but the standard RNFL did (p < 0.001). Standard RNFL and APS-RNFL were found to be well correlated; however, the correlations between BMO-MRW and standard RNFL or APS-RNFL were either absent or very weak. All three methods showed weak but significant negative correlations with high myopic spherical RE, especially those in the standard RNFL. Moderately negative correlations were found between BMO-MRW and disc size in all sectors (highest in the nasal sector; r = -0.387, p < 0.001). However, there was almost no significant relationship between disc size and standard RNFL or APS-RNFL. Moderately significant negative correlations were observed between the groups categorically and standard RNFL in almost all sectors, while this was much less with APS-RNFL and was not observed in almost any sector with BMO-MRW. ConclusionsWhen evaluating the NR in healthy myopic children, it was found that, in particular, BMO-MRW and APS-RNFL are less effected by RE degree compared to standard RNFL. BMO-MRW and APS-RNFL should be used on these children to avoid the possible misdiagnosis of glaucoma.

Evaluation of Retinal Structure in Pediatric Subjects With Vitamin D Deficiency

To quantitatively evaluate the retinal structural parameters of pediatric patients who were determined to be deficient in vitamin D. Prospective, cross-sectional study. Retinal structural parameters, including the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), central macula, retinal layer, and choroidal thicknesses, central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE), and central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE), in pediatric subjects with vitamin D deficiency (group 1) and those without (group 2) were compared. Group 1 comprised 70 individuals, while group 2 comprised 80 individuals. The mean peripapillary RNFL (except for the nasal superior sector [P=.037]), central macula, and retinal layer thicknesses were also determined to be similar in both groups (P > .05 for both groups). The mean choroidal thickness was lower in the subfoveal (P=.006) and nasal 3000-µm-diameter areas (P=.004) in group 1. The mean CRAE was determined to be lower (P=.031) and the CRVE was higher in group 1 (P=.005); it was determined that there was a significant correlation between the vitamin D level and both the CRAE (r=0.447, P < .001) and CRVE (r=-0.320, P=.013). Choroidal thinning, a decrease in the CRAE, and increase in the CRVE were structural changes that occurred in the pediatric subjects who had vitamin D deficiency. The alterations in these parameters became more prominent in pediatric subjects who were determined to have lower vitamin D levels.

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Children: The Gobi Desert Children Eye Study.

Because there is a paucity of population-based data on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) for children, we measured the RNFLT and its associations in schoolchildren. The population-based Gobi Desert Children Eye Study included all schoolchildren aged 6 to 21 years living in Ejina, Inner Mongolia. The children underwent a comprehensive ocular examination with cycloplegic refractometry and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography of the optic nerve head. The peripapillary RNFLT was measured on the optical coherence tomography images of a circular scan with a diameter of 3.4 mm. Out of 1565 participants, RNFLT data were available for 1440 (92.5%) children. The mean global RNFLT was 101.3 ± 9.2 μm in right eyes. The RNFLT was thickest in the temporal inferior sector (157.3 μm), followed by the temporal superior sector (143.8 μm), the nasal inferior sector (109.7 μm), the nasal superior sector (106.9 μm), temporal sector (85.2 μm), and the nasal sector (61.7 μm). In multivariate analysis, the RNFLT decreased with higher myopic refractive error (P < 0.001), male sex (P = 0.001), higher intraocular pressure (P = 0.002), and lower birth weight (P = 0.03). It was not significantly associated with age (P = 0.19), body mass index (P = 0.57), mean arterial blood pressure (P = 0.33), pulse rate (P = 0.28), and subfoveal choroidal thickness (P = 0.11). The RNFLT in children showed a regional distribution, with the thickest part in the temporal inferior sector and the thinnest part located in the nasal sector. The overall RNLFT significantly decreased with higher myopic refractive error and male sex. In schoolchildren, in contrast to adults, the RNFLT did not decrease with older age. These findings may be considered when interpreting RNFLT data in children.

Visualization of Focal Thinning of the Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease.

A detailed analysis of the tomographic thickness of intraretinal layers may provide more information on neurodegeneration in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The goal was to analyze tomographic thickness patterns of intraretinal layers in patients with AD andMCI. Forty-nine patients (25 AD and 24 MCI) and 21 cognitively normal (CN) controls were imaged using ultra-high-resolution optical coherence tomography to obtain volumetric data centered on the fovea. The segmented intraretinal layers were retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell- inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), and retinal photoreceptor (PR), in addition to the total retinal thickness(TRT). The thickness differences were negative (thinning) mainly in TRT, RNFL, and GCIPL in both AD and MCI groups in comparison to CN, while the thickness differences were positive (thickening) mainly in ONL and PR in AD. GCIPL of AD and MCI was thinner in superior, nasal superior, and temporal superior quadrants, compared to CN (p < 0.05). GCIPL of the inner superior, inner nasal superior, inner temporal superior, and outer nasal superior sectors was significantly thinner in AD than CN (p < 0.05). GCIPL of the outer superior, inner temporal superior, outer nasal, and temporal superior sectors was significantly thinner in MCI than CN (p < 0.05). Focal thinning of the GCIPL was visualized and quantified by detailed partitions in AD and MCI, which provides specific information about neurodegeneration in MCI and AD.

Retinal dysfunction characterizes subtypes of dominant optic atrophy.

To assess preganglionic retinal function using multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) in patients affected by dominant optic atrophy (DOA) stratified by OPA1 gene mutation. Multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) was recorded in 18 DOA patients (DOA group, 35 eyes) and 25 age-matched healthy subjects (control group, 25 eyes). Patients were stratified in two groups based on gene mutation: missense mutation (DOA-M group, 11 eyes) and mutation causing haploinsufficiency (DOA-H group, 24 eyes). The mfERG N1-P1 response amplitude density (RAD) has been evaluated in five annular retinal areas with different eccentricity from the fovea (ring 1: 0-5 degrees, R1; ring 2: 5-10 degrees, R2; ring 3: 10-15 degrees, R3; ring 4: 15-20 degrees, R4; and ring 5: 20-25 degrees, R5) and in eight sectors on the basis of the retinal topography: temporal-superior (TS), temporal-inferior (TI), nasal-superior (NS) and nasal-inferior (NI), temporal (T), superior (S), nasal (N) and inferior (I). Compared to controls, DOA group revealed a significant reduction in N1-P1 RADs values in R1-R4 rings and in TI, NS and N sectors [analysis of variance (ANOVA), p<0.01). DOA-M group showed a significant reduction in N1-P1 RADs values in R1-R5 rings and in TI, NS, NI, T, N and I sectors (p<0.01). Dominant optic atrophy-H (DOA-H) group displayed only a significant (p<0.01) reduction in N1-P1 RADs values, exclusively in R1 and in the NS sector. Preganglionic retinal impairment occurs in DOA with a clear genotype to retinal dysfunction association. Missense mutations are characterized by a far more severe functional impairment.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in normal Egyptian population

Purpose The aim of this study was to collect normative retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) data in the Egyptian population using the Spectralis SD-OCT and to assess its correlations with demographic data and ocular parameters. Participants and methods A total of 100 healthy eyes of 100 Egyptian individuals were enrolled in this study. BMI was calculated for each participant. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity were measured and converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR). Autorefraction, keratometric (K) readings, and axial length were obtained. Patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including cup disc (CD) ratio and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement. RNFLT measurement by Spectralis SD-OCT scanning was carried out using circular scans of the retinal nerve fiber layer of a diameter of 3.4 mm centered on the optic nerve head. Results The mean global (G) RNFLT was 101.74±10.05 μm (range: 79.0–123.0 μm). The mean RNFLT was the least at the temporal (T) sector, followed by nasal (N), nasal superior (NS), nasal inferior (NI), temporal superior (TS), and temporal inferior (TI) sectors. Using Pearson’s correlation, age showed a significant negative correlation with T and TI sectors. BMI showed a significant positive correlation with the G RNFLT and NS and TI sectors. Square root of logMAR of UCVA showed a significant negative correlation with the G RNFLT and NI and TI sectors. Spherical equivalent showed a significant positive correlation with the G RNFLT and the N sector. K-readings showed a significant positive correlation with the G RNFLT and N, NS, TS, NI, and TI sectors. IOP showed a significant negative correlation with the NS sector only. CD ratio showed a significant negative correlation with the G RNFLT and NS, TS, and TI sectors. Axial length showed a significant negative correlation with the G RNFLT and N, NS, and TI sectors. Using regression analysis, RNFLT was directly related to better UCVA, hyperopic refractive error, and steeper cornea, and inversely related to age, IOP, and CD ratio. Conclusion The mean RNFLT was the least at the T sector, followed by N, NS, NI, TS, and TI sectors, respectively. RNFLT was directly related to better UCVA, hyperopic refractive error, and steeper cornea, and inversely related to age, IOP, and CD ratio.

Optical coherence tomography as a tool to evaluate retinal changes in Parkinson's disease.

Though Parkinson's disease (PD) is primarily a disease of the basal ganglia, recent evidence suggests that PD affects the retina. The study was designed to evaluate the thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and thickness and volume of the macula in PD and hence explore the utility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in studying retinal changes in PD. A prospective, hospital based evaluation of 30 patients with PD and 30 healthy controls was carried out. Various parameters such as RNFL, central macular thickness (CMT), central and total macular volumes (TMV) and retinal thickness were analyzed using OCT. (a) RNFL thickness was not significantly different between the patients and controls. A significant negative correlation was found between the RNFL thickness in the right nasal superior sector and the UPDRS motor score. (b) CMT was found to be significantly reduced in the right eye and a negative correlation with the UPDRS motor score was noted. (c) TMV was significantly greater in patients compared to the controls. (d) The outer retinal layer in the right nasal quadrant and the right inferior quadrants were found to be significantly thinner in patients with PD. We did not find any significant abnormality in the RNFL thickness in patients with PD. Decreased CMT in patients with PD and a significant negative correlation of RNFL thickness and CMT with severity of PD suggest a remote possibility of dopaminergic depletion in the retina. However long term studies are warranted to validate our findings.

Detection of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Defects in Alzheimer's Disease Using SD-OCT.

Introduction: Our aim is to examine the clinical value of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis OCT) to detect retinal nerve fibre layer defects in patients with clinically defined Alzheimer‘s disease (AD).Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 22 patients with AD (mean age: 75.9 ± 6.1 years) and 22 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Neuro-ophthalmologic examinations and a series of high-resolution OCT examinations of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness using the Spectralis 3.5-mm circle scan protocol with ART-Modus and eye tracking were obtained, and compared to age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects.Results: Patients with AD showed a significant decrease in RNFL thickness in the nasal superior sector compared to the control group (101.0 ± 18.18 μm versus 122.8 ± 28.08 μm; P < 0.0001). In all other sectors, independently of disease duration, no significant difference in RNFL thickness compared to controls was detected. Using the advanced age- and gender-matched measurement model, 32 out of 42 eyes (76.19%) as pathologic with 67 abnormal sectors were detected.Discussion: As examined by spectral-domain OCT, patients with mild to moderate stages of AD showed a significant reduction of RNFL thickness in the nasal superior sector. Nevertheless, successive studies are needed.

Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness measured by Spectralis spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography: The Beijing Eye Study

The aim of this study was to measure retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT) and its associated factors in a population-based setting. The population-based Beijing Eye Study 2011 included 3468 individuals. The study participants underwent spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis(®) ; Spectralis OCT)-assisted measurement of the RNFLT. For this study, exclusion criteria were glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation, best-corrected visual acuity of >0.5 logMAR, macular diseases, previous ocular surgery and known neurological diseases. The only inclusion criterion was an age of 50+ years. The inclusion criteria were fulfilled by 2548 participants. Mean RNFLT was 102 ± 11 μm. RNFLT was significantly (p < 0.001) thicker in the temporal inferior sector (153 ± 21 μm) than in the temporal superior sector (138 ± 21 μm), nasal inferior sector (118 ± 24 μm), nasal superior sector (106 ± 21 μm), temporal sector (76 ± 13 μm) and nasal sector (73 ± 15 μm). The mean intereye difference in RNFLT was 4.4 ± 6.0 μm. In multivariate analysis, thicker RNFLT was associated with younger age (p < 0.001), female gender (p < 0.001), urban region (p = 0.003), larger optic disc size (p < 0.001), larger neuroretinal rim area (p < 0.001), hyperopic refractive error (p < 0.001), larger beta zone of parapapillary atrophy (p = 0.008) and thicker subfoveal choroidal thickness (p = 0.02). RNFLT decreased by about 0.2 μm (0.2%) per year of life and by 1 μm (1%) per dioptre of myopia. Mean RNFLT (measured by Spectralis(®) OCT; 102 ± 11 μm) was associated with younger age, female gender, urban region of habitation, larger optic disc, larger rim, hyperopic refractive error, larger parapapillary beta zone and thicker subfoveal choroidal thickness. Independent of age and refractive error, the RNFL was thickest temporal inferiorly and thinnest temporally and nasally.

Optic nerve head analysis of superior segmental optic hypoplasia using Heidelberg retina tomography

PurposeTo evaluate the optic disc characteristics of eyes with superior segmental optic hypoplasia (SSOH) using the Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT).Patients and methodsThirteen eyes of 13 Japanese patients with SSOH were studied with the HRT (software version: 3.0). The group included six males and seven females, with a mean age of 34.7 years. Six optic disc parameters in the six sectors derived from the patients with SSOH were compared with those of 13 eyes of 13 normal controls. In addition, the diagnostic classification performance of the Frederick S Mikelberg (FSM) discriminant function, glaucoma probability score (GPS), and Moorfields regression analysis (MRA) were assessed.ResultsWhen compared with normal subjects, many of the optic disc parameters were significantly altered in SSOH in the superior sectors. The area under the curve (AUC) for the receiver operating characteristic was 0.932 for the rim area, 0.926 for the cup-to-disc area ratio, and 0.882 for the cup shape measure. Among the HRT parameters, the largest AUC (0.988) was found for the cup shape measure in the nasal superior segment. The proportion classified as outside normal limits by the FSM discriminant function was 92.3% (12 eyes). For GPS, six eyes (46.2%) were classified as outside normal limits. For MRA, when borderline cases were considered test-negative or test-positive, 10 eyes (76.9%) or 11 eyes (84.6%) were classified as outside normal limits, respectively. The AUCs were 0.976 for the FSM discriminant function, 0.914 for the MRA overall classification, and 0.710 for the GPS overall classification.ConclusionsIn eyes with SSOH, there is a significant thinning of the rim, especially in the nasal superior sector. Approximately half of the eyes with SSOH were classified as abnormal using indices developed for detecting glaucoma, but the sectorial analysis revealed that the affected sectors were different from those of glaucoma. Optic nerve head measurements using the HRT may be useful in evaluating the optic disc characteristics in eyes with SSOH.

Análisis de la distribución de anillo neurorretiniano por sectores mediante láser confocal de barrido en el diagnóstico del glaucoma

To evaluate the diagnostic ability of the Moorfields regression analysis (MRA; neuroretinal rim sector-based analysis) by means of confocal scanning laser. 200 eyes were included in this study: 101 normal subjects and 99 glaucoma patients (standard automated perimetry with glaucomatous defects -MD or CPSD with p<0.02 or a cluster of three or more points with p<0.05 or a cluster of two or more points with p<0.01 or abnormal Glaucoma Hemifield Test). All subjects underwent a full ophthalmic evaluation, visual field evaluation by means of a Humphrey Field Analyzer, 24-2 full threshold strategy, and optic disc topography by Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT-II). The outcome parameters were sensitivity and specificity of the MRA for each sector. The highest sensitivity in detecting structural defects based on MRA (p<0.05) was observed in the nasal-superior sector (48%) and nasal-inferior sector (45%); however the highest specificity was found in the temporal-superior (98%) and inferior (98%) sectors. The highest sensitivity for MRA (p<0.01) was found in the temporal-inferior sector (31%) and nasal-superior sector (30%) while the temporal-superior and inferior-sectors showed the highest specificity (100%). The diagnosis of glaucoma based on the presence of any sector alteration showed sensitivity figures of 67% with p<0.05 and 46% with p<0.01 and specificity values of 84% with p<0.05 and 96% with p<0.01. The analysis of the distribution of the neuroretinal rim by means of HRT-II contributes effectively to the diagnosis of glaucoma based on perimetry in a sample derived from a Spanish population.

Visibility of the normal retinal nerve fiber layer correlated with rim width and vessel caliber.

Since the distribution of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) is not regular, this study was performed to evaluate the normal regional variation in its ophthalmoscopic appearance. Wide-angle red-free photographs of the RNFL and color stereo optic disc slides of 195 normal eyes of 119 subjects were morphometrically examined. The RNFL was most visible in the temporal inferior sector, with the neuroretinal rim being correspondingly broadest (P < 0.001) and the diameter of the corresponding retinal artery the widest; these parameters were found to diminish appreciably in the temporal superior sector, the nasal superior sector, and the nasal inferior sector in this order. The visibility of the RNFL in a particular region therefore correlates positively with the rim width and retinal artery caliber in that region, the RNFL being most detectable in the temporal inferior part of the fundus. This may be important in the evaluation of eyes with optic nerve damage.