Lamina Cribrosa Thickness Research Articles

Association of lamina cribrosa thickness and hippocampal volume in Alzheimer's disease patients.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and affects a large portion of the elderly population worldwide. To analyze the relationship between lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) and hippocampal volume in patients with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The sample in the present study consisted of 20 recently diagnosed MCI patients, 20 recently diagnosed AD patients, and 20 matched healthy volunteers. Every patient underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The VolBrain software (open-access platform for MRI brain analysis) was used to calculate the hippocampal volume. Optical coherence tomography was performed to measure the LCT. Analysis of variance and Pearson chi-squared tests were employed to assess the results. The lowest total hippocampal volume (p < 0.05) was in the AD group, which was 6.14 ± 0.66 mm3, while in the control group, it was 7.7 ± 9.65 mm3, and 6.69 ± 0.46 mm3 in the MCI group. In comparison to the rest of the groups, in the AD group, the LCT was the thinnest (202.17 ± 16.35 µm). As per the results of the study population as a whole, low hippocampal volume causes low LCT, which shows an important relationship (r: 0.41; p < 0.05). The current findings present evidence of the relationship between hippocampal volume and LCT in patients with AD and MCI.

Normative Profile of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Lamina Cribrosa-Related Parameters in a Healthy Non-Glaucoma Cynomolgus Monkey Colony.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the normal range of ophthalmic parameters and the correlations between systematic and ocular parameters and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness among a healthy non-glaucoma cynomolgus monkey colony. All included monkeys were given detailed ophthalmic examinations, including anterior and posterior segments. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate linear regression models were conducted to estimate the relationship between systemic and ophthalmic parameters and global RNFL thickness. A total of 349 non-glaucoma monkeys (18.69 ± 2.88 years old) were collected. The global RNFL thickness was 94.61 ± 10.13 µm, and sex-specific differences existed in all sectors. The decreasing trend of RNFL is as follows: inferotemporal, superotemporal, inferonasal, superonasal, temporal, and nasal. For lamina cribrosa (LC)-related parameters, cup depth (P < 0.01), LC thickness (P = 0.014), and Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) - minimum rim width 2 (P = 0.002) were greater in the male group. However, LC depth (P = 0.02), anterior laminar insertion depth-1 (P = 0.009), and mean anterior laminar insertion depth (P = 0.029) of female monkeys were greater than those of male monkeys. In multivariate linear regression, only older age was significantly related to reduced global RNFL thickness (P < 0.001). Our findings suggest the differences in RNFL thickness distribution and sex between non-glaucoma cynomolgus monkeys and humans. Therefore, the impact of this difference on outcomes should be fully considered in laboratory animal studies. Our findings are also significant in terms of developing a normative optical coherence tomography (OCT) database in nonhuman primates (NHPs). We found that the differences in RNFL thickness distribution and sex between non-glaucoma cynomolgus monkey colonies and humans should be thoroughly taken into account in laboratory animal studies.

Structural Features of Optic Nerve Head in Glaucoma with Single-hemispheric and Bi-hemispheric Visual Field Defects

Purpose: To compare the structural features of the optic nerve head (ONH) in moderate glaucoma patients with single-hemispheric and bi-hemispheric visual field (VF) defects.Methods: Patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and a VF mean deviation between -6 and -12 dB were retrospectively enrolled. Based on VF defect patterns, eyes were classified into two groups: those with single-hemispheric VF defects and those with bi-hemispheric VF defects. Structural features analyzed included Bruch’s membrane opening area, lamina cribrosa (LC) thickness, temporal β-zone parapapillary atrophy with and without Bruch's membrane (βPPA&lt;sub&gt;+BM&lt;/sub&gt;, βPPA&lt;sub&gt;-BM&lt;/sub&gt;, respectively), and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.Results: Out of 137 eyes from 124 patients, 80 eyes had single-hemispheric VF defects and 57 eyes had bi-hemispheric VF defects. The bi-hemispheric group exhibited longer axial length (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.038), thinner central corneal thickness (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.003), thinner LC (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.001), and larger temporal βPPA&lt;sub&gt;+BM&lt;/sub&gt; (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.002) compared to the single-hemispheric group.Conclusions: Among Korean OAG patients with moderate VF defects, those with bi-hemispheric VF defects showed more structurally vulnerable optic discs characterized by longer axial lengths, thinner central corneal thickness, thinner LC, and larger β PPA+BM compared to those with single-hemispheric VF defects. These findings underline the importance of evaluating ONH structures in monitoring glaucoma progression particularly in patients with extensive VF damage.

Evaluation of lamina cribrosa parameters, nerve fiber thickness, and macular thickness in primary open-angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma using optical coherence tomography.

To evaluate the lamina cribrosa, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and macula in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG) and healthy individuals using enhanced depth imaging (EDI) of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). A total of 158 eyes were included in the study, comprising 58 eyes of 29 patients with POAG, 50 eyes of 25 patients with PEXG, and 50 eyes of 25 healthy individuals. The lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) (at three locations), lamina cribrosa depth (LCD), RNFL thickness, and the macular thickness were measured using the EDI mode of the SD-OCT. The results were compared among the three groups. In both POAG and PEXG groups, the LCT was significantly thinner in the center, mid-superior, and mid-inferior areas in both eyes than in the control group (p < 0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the POAG and PEXG groups in terms of LCT at all three measurement locations in both eyes (p > 0.05). The LCD was significantly lower in the control group compared to the POAG and PEXG groups (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the POAG and PEXG groups (p > 0.05). The RNFL thickness was significantly lower in both the POAG and PEXG groups compared to the control group in both eyes (p < 0.05). The LCT and LCD of patients with POAG and PEXG were thinner than those of healthy individuals, but there was no significant difference between the patients with POAG and PEXG.

Anatomic Features of the Lamina Cribrosa and Optic Disc in Ocular Hypertension, Glaucoma and Healthy Eyes.

Central lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) was found to be higher in eyes with ocular hypertension (OHT) compared with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and healthy controls (HCs). To evaluate the anatomic features of lamina cribrosa (LC) and the optic disc (OD) using swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) in eyes with OHT. Treatment naive eyes with OHT and POAG and healthy eyes were included. All eyes underwent a complete ophthalmological examination in addition to swept-source OCT of the OD. Anatomic features of LC, including central LCT, LC depth, prelaminar depth (PLD), and prelaminar tissue thickness, were measured manually using the internal caliper function of the OCT device and compared within groups. OD ovality, disc-foveal angle, and OD torsion were measured on colored photographs, using imageJ software. Seventy-one eyes of 37 patients in the OHT group, 41 eyes of 26 patients in the POAG group, and 30 eyes of 30 patients in the HC group were enrolled in the study. Groups were similar in age and sex distribution. Central LCT was significantly higher in the OHT group, compared with HCs (333.8 ± 50.5 vs 304.5 ± 46.3 µm, P = 0.02) and POAG group (286.7 ± 140.4, P = 0.001). PLD and LC depth were both highest in POAG (282.3 ± 145.5 µm and 471.3 ± 195.2 µm), followed by OHT (244.8 ± 30.2 µm and 440.7 ± 18.7 µm) and HCs (170.1 ± 152.6 µm and 412.8 ± 80 µm), only the difference between POAG and HCs in PLD was statistically significant ( P = 0.03). Prelaminar tissue thickness, OD torsion, disc-foveal angle, and disc ovality showed no significant difference. LC was significantly thicker in eyes with OHT, compared with POAG and HCs. This finding may be relevant to optic nerve protection from high intraocular pressure in patients with OHT.

Underlying Microstructure of the Lamina Cribrosa at the Site of Microvasculature Dropout.

To determine the microstructure of the lamina cribrosa (LC) associated with microvasculature dropout (MvD) of the deep optic nerve head (ONH) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and to identify factors related to the presence of MvD. POAG eyes that exhibited MvD in the LC (MvD-LC) or MvD in the peripapillary choroid (MvD-PC) underwent optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to evaluate the structure and microvasculature of the deep ONH, respectively. The presence of MvD-LC or MvD-PC was determined using en face OCTA images of the deep ONH. The sectoral LC thickness (LCT) and LC curvature index (LCCI) (at MvD-LC site, when applicable), the mean LCT and LCCI of the global ONH, and other clinical characteristics were measured and compared between eyes with and without MvD-LC. The study included 93 eyes with and 51 without MvD-LC. The presence of MvD-LC was associated with lower sectoral LCT (odds ratio [OR] = 0.96, P < 0.001) and mean LCT (OR = 0.97, P = 0.032), larger visual field pattern standard deviation (PSD; OR = 1.20, P = 0.038), and higher pretreatment intraocular pressure (IOP; OR = 1.22, P = 0.012). Fifteen percent of the eyes with MvD-LC (14/93) did not present MvD-PC. Those eyes had younger age (P = 0.043), thicker juxtapapillary choroid (P = 0.018), larger sectoral LCCI (P = 0.040), thicker retinal nerve fiber layer (P = 0.024), smaller PSD (P = 0.008), and higher pretreatment IOP (P = 0.006) than those with both MvD-LC and MvD-PC. MvD-LC was associated with a localized morphologic alteration of the LC, and eyes with MvD-LC tended to have a higher pretreatment IOP. The clinical implications of MvD-LC should differ from those of MvD-PC in eyes with POAG.

Evaluation of the lamina cribrosa after topical latanoprost therapy in primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension

PurposeTo investigate that the changes of lamina cribrosa (LC) thickness and depth after latanoprost therapy in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT) patients. MethodsIn this single-center prospective cross-sectional study, 35 eyes from 35 patients with POAG or OHT (study group) and 26 age- and gender- matched healthy individuals (control group) were included. All participants were examined by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode for LC thickness and depth measurements at the first visit before latanoprost therapy and at visits after 1 (second visit) and 3 (third visit) months of latanoprost therapy. ResultsThe mean LC thickness in both horizontal and vertical scans of the study group were thinner than the control group (p < 0.001, for both). During latanoprost therapy in the study group, the LC thickness values in horizontal scans significantly differed over the three visits, gradually increased (p < 0.05). There was significantly decrease in LC depth in horizontal scans between the first and third visits, and the second and third visits (p = 0.003 and p = 0.008, respectively). The gradual decrease in LC depth in vertical scans was observed at all visits, but the statistically significant difference was between the first and third visits only (p = 0.048). ConclusionPOAG/OHT patients showed more LC thinning compared with healthy individuals. The significant increase in LC thickness and the significant decrease in LC depth were detected after IOP reduction therapy with latanoprost in ocular hypertensive/ glaucomatous eyes.

Remodelling of the lamina cribrosa thickness in proliferative diabetic retinopathy as a pathogenetic factor of retrolaminar migration of silicone oil after vitrectomy

Aims/Purpose: to analyse the relationship of lamina cribrosa (LC) thickness in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) after vitrectomy with SiO tamponade with retrolaminar migration of intraocular silicone oil (SiO).Methods: This retrospective study included 35 patients with PDR after vitrectomy with SiO tamponade who underwent unenhanced head computed tomography for various clinical indications. All images were visually evaluated for subretinal and retrolaminar migration of SiO involving the anterior visual pathway (optic nerve, optic chiasm, and optic tract) and the ventricular system. LC thickness was measured with spectral domain optical coherent tomography (SD OCT) using LC_Thickness_programm.m and main_low_noise_filters_programm.m, based on the adaptive compensation algorithm for eliminating a high‐level noise in the deep layers of optic nerve and improving the visualization of the LC posterior border, as well as for processing B‐scan with a set of 3 digital filters: Butterworth Low‐pass Filter inverion image, Wavelet Low‐pass Filter Analysis Daubechies original and inversion image.Results: In our patients with PDR the average LC thickness was 697 ± 35 μm (589 to 768 μm), that was 1.9 times higher than in healthy people (p &lt; 0.001). We detected subretinal and retrolaminar silicone oil migration in 10 of the 35 patients (28.57%), noting silicone oil at the optic nerve head (n = 2), retrolaminar optic nerve (n = 4), optic chiasm (n = 2), optic tract (n = 1) and in the lateral ventricles (n = 3). 3 patients had migration to 2 locations each (1 – in retrolaminar optic nerve and optic chiasm, 2 – in retrolaminar optic nerve and lateral ventricle). We compared the LC thickness of patients without and with subretinal and retrolaminar SiO migration. It was established that LC thickness of patients with subretinal and retrolaminar SiO migration was significantly less (589 to 658 μm) than in patients without SiO migration (673 to 768 μm). It should be noted that the number of cases positive for migration was small, limiting the statistical power and accuracy of the prevalence.Conclusions: A direct correlation between scleral LC thickness and retrolaminar migration of SiO in patients with PDR after vitrectomy with SiO tamponade was revealed.

Lamina Cribrosa Thickness in Patients with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Cross Sectional Comparative Evaluation Using Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract Background: Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is one of the most common causes of retinal vascular disease, second to diabetic retinopathy. We aimed to compare the lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) of patients with unilateral branch RVO (BRVO) versus healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based, prospective, cross-sectional, and comparative study. Participants were newly diagnosed RVO cases (n = 25) and apparently normal age-matched healthy controls (n = 25). All the participants underwent systemic and comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including refraction and enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography. Relevant parameters were compared between the groups using the independent t-test. Statistical significance thresholds were set at a P &lt; 0.05. Results: The mean age of cases (66.7% female) and controls (52% female) was 55.9 ± 7.4 and 59.4 ± 7.0 years, respectively, (P = 0.089). The mean LCT of the affected eyes in cases (176.6 ± 28.3 μm) was significantly lower compared to the unaffected eyes of cases (200.6 ± 33.1 μm, P = 0.008) and control eye (230.9 ± 36.9 μm, P = 0.001). Conclusions: A thinner lamina cribrosa (LC) was observed in both eyes of unilateral RVO patients compared with healthy, nonglaucomatous subjects’ eyes. The role of LCT as a local mechanical factor in the pathogenesis of BRVO and their relationship to systemic factors merits further investigation.

Evaluation of lamina cribrosa and peripapillary vascular density in thyroid orbitopathy and effect of intravenous methylprednisolone therapy

ObjectifÉvaluer les modifications de la tête du nerf optique en présence d'orbitopathie thyroïdienne (OT) et examiner les effets de l'administration intraveineuse (i.v.) de méthylprednisolone (MTP) sur ces modifications. MéthodesOnt été inclus 82 yeux de 41 patients présentant une OT avec ou sans neuropathie optique dysthyroïdienne (NOD) et 40 yeux de 40 sujets témoins en bonne santé. L’épaisseur et la profondeur de la lame criblée (ELC et PLC, respectivement), l’épaisseur de la couche de fibres nerveuses rétiniennes péripapillaires (pRNFLT, pour peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness) et la densité vasculaire dans le réseau capillaire péripapillaire radial ont été mesurées à l'aide de la tomographie par cohérence optique (OCT) et de l'angiographie-tomographie par cohérence optique (OCTA). On a également réalisé un examen du champ visuel et de l'exophtalmie. Les patients qui présentaient une NOD de même qu'une atteinte évolutive autre que la NOD ont reçu la MTP par voie i.v. pendant 12 semaines, après quoi l'effet du traitement a été évalué. RésultatsLa densité vasculaire péripapillaire a diminué en présence de NOD, comparativement aux autres groupes (p < 0,001 dans tous les cas); aucune différence n'a été enregistrée entre les groupes quant à la pRNFLT (totale, de l'hémisecteur supérieur et de l'hémisecteur inférieur). L'ELC a diminué dans le groupe OT (p < 0,001). Après l'administration i.v. de MTP, on a noté une hausse de l'ELC et de la meilleure acuité visuelle corrigée. Le taux d'anticorps anti-récepteurs de la TSH, la pression intraoculaire, la pRNFLT de l'hémisecteur supérieur et l'exophtalmie ont tous diminué, comparativement à ce qui a été enregistré chez les témoins (p = 0,012; p = 0,008; p = 0,043 et p < 0,001, respectivement). ConclusionsLa pRNFLT n'augmente pas nécessairement en présence de NOD. On peut observer une modification de la morphologie de la lame criblée dans l'OT. L'administration i.v. de MTP a eu un effet positif sur l'ELC mais pas sur la densité vasculaire dans le réseau capillaire péripapillaire radial ni sur la PLC.

Is Keratoconus More Than Just a Corneal Disease?

The aims of this study were to compare the scleral thickness (ST), lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT), and lamina cribrosa curvature index between patients with keratoconus and healthy controls and to evaluate the relationship between these values and corneal parameters. This cross-sectional study included 41 eyes of 41 patients with keratoconus and 30 eyes of 30 age-matched, sex-matched, and axial length-matched controls. Nasal and temporal STs were measured vertically, 4 mm posterior to the scleral spur, using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. The LCT was measured on the radial scans of the optic nerve head. The lamina cribrosa curvature index (lamina cribrosa curvature depth/curvature width × 100) was calculated to determine the degree of posterior bowing of the lamina cribrosa. The nasal ST and temporal ST were significantly lower in the keratoconus group than in the control group ( P = 0.016 and P = 0.023, respectively). The LCT was significantly lower in the keratoconus group compared with the control group ( P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups for the lamina cribrosa curvature index ( P = 0.375). Correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between the nasal and temporal STs and the central corneal thickness (r = 0.376, P < 0.001 and r = 0.387, P < 0.001, respectively). There was also a significant correlation between the temporal ST and the minimum corneal thickness in the keratoconus group (r = 0.332, P = 0.015). The LCT was significantly correlated with the central corneal thickness (r = 0.445, P < 0.001). Structural features of the cornea, sclera, and lamina cribrosa with similar collagen content may be similarly affected in patients with keratoconus. Further histologic studies are needed to confirm our results.

Impact of obesity on peripapillary choroidal thickness, macular choroidal thickness, and lamina cribrosa morphology

BackgroundObesity is known to be a significant risk factor for many ocular diseases. In order to understand the mechanism of obesity-related ocular diseases, we examined the lamina cribrosa morphology, peripapillary choroidal thickness (PPCT), and macular choroidal thickness (MCT) in obese women using optical coherence tomography (OCT). MethodsThis comparative cross-sectional study included the right eyes of 72 obese women and 63 healthy women classified based on body mass index (BMI). Each participant underwent a thorough ophthalmological examination and enhanced depth (EDI) OCT imaging, including measurements of PPCT from a total of 12 regions, MCT from a total of 7 regions, Bruch's membrane opening (BMO), lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT), lamina cribrosa depth (LCD), intraocular pressure (IOP), and central corneal thickness (CCT). ResultsThe mean age and BMI of the obese group were 32.36±7.38 years and 35.11±4.39 kg/m², while those of the control group were 31.64±7.78 years and 20.88±1.72 kg/m² (p = 0.658, and p<0.001, respectively). PPCT N1000, PPCT N1500, PPCT S1500, and PPCT T1500 were statistically significantly thinner in the obese group than the control group (p values were 0.039, 0.012, 0.027, and 0.036, respectively). IOP and CCT were significantly higher in the obese group than the control group (p = 0.016, and p = 0.019, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of MCT, BMO, LCT, and LCD. ConclusionWe discovered thinning in the PPCT, which indicates microvascular abnormalities in the optic disc head. Microvascular alteration in the peripapillary region may be a potential initial event in the pathogenesis of several obesity-related ocular diseases, especially glaucoma.

Role of Optic Nerve Head Characteristics in Predicting Intraocular Pressure Spikes after Cataract Surgery in Highly Myopic Eyes.

To evaluate the characteristics of optic nerve head (ONH) in highly myopic eyes and its role in predicting intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes after cataract surgery. Patients who are highly myopic andwere scheduled for cataract surgery were enrolled in this prospective case series study. IOP was measured preoperatively and at 1day and 3days postoperatively. ONH characteristics including area, tilt ratio, lamina cribrosa (LC) thickness, and depth, and the presence of LC defects were evaluated with enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography. Factors influencing LC defects and early IOP spike were investigated using multivariate stepwise logistic regression. In total, 200 highly myopic eyes of 200 patients were analyzed: 35.00% had small ONH, 53.00% had ONH tilt, and 14.00% had LC defects. Multivariate analysis demonstrated female patients with larger ONH area and deeper LC tended to have LC defects (all P < 0.05). As to postoperative IOP, IOP change, and incidence of IOP spikes, eyes with small ONH, ONH tilt, and LC defects had similar (all P > 0.05), higher (all P < 0.05), and lower (all P < 0.05) outcomes compared with those without the corresponding characteristic, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that presence of LC defects and thicker LC were protective factors for early IOP spikes, and axial length > 28mm was a risk factor (all P < 0.05). Female patients with larger ONH area and deeper LC tend to have LC defects, which, together with thicker LC, was correlated with less IOP spikes in highly myopic eyes. This study was conducted as part of a larger project, the Shanghai High Myopia Study, registered at www. gov (accession number NCT03062085).

Thinning of the Lamina Cribrosa and Deep Layer Microvascular Drop Out in Patients with open angle glaucoma and High Myopia.

Lamina cribrosa thinning (thickness of ≤128.00µm) helps to distinguish open angle glaucoma from high myopia, which was associated with the presence of microvasculature dropout and elevated intraocular pressure. To analyze the factors associated with lamina cribrosa (LC) thickness in highly myopic eyes with and without open-angle glaucoma. In total, 240 highly myopic eyes with γ-zones (194 eyes without and 46 eyes with open-angle glaucoma) were examined, and the lamina cribrosa center, externally oblique border, an abrupt change of scleral curvature (scleral step), deep-layer microvasculature dropout and global retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were investigated on optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography. Lamina cribrosa were thinner in highly myopic open-angle glaucoma compared with high myopia alone (107.76±9.86 µm VS 137.07±18.51 µm, P<0.001), which was associated with deep-layer microvasculature dropout and elevated intraocular pressure. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for detecting open-angle glaucoma from the lamina cribrosa thickness was 0.964, which was statistically higher (P<0.05) than from the global retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (0.921) and vertical cup-to-disc ratio (0.902). A lamina cribrosa thickness cut-off value of 128 µm provided 100% sensitivity for detecting open-angle glaucoma with 84% specificity. Highly myopic eyes with open-angle glaucoma appear to have a thinner lamina cribrosa, which was associated with elevated intraocular pressure and deep-layer microvasculature dropout. lamina cribrosa thinning (≤128.00 µm) helps distinguish open-angle glaucoma from high myopia with an abnormal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness distribution and unclear shallow disc cupping.

Evaluation of the lamina cribrosa in different stages of diabetic retinopathy.

To evaluate the relationship of the peripapillary retina nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and lamina cribrosa (LC) with diabetic retinopathy (DR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) cases. Prospective comparative study. This study included 50 non-DR (Group 1), 55 non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) (Group 2), 28 DM cases with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) (Group 3) and 45 healthy volunteers (Group 4). All participants were evaluated with visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP) with Goldman applanation tonometry, anterior segment biomicroscopy, 24 - 2 visual field testing, and dilated fundus examination. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) and anterior lamina cribrosa depth (ALCD) were examined by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). There was no difference between the groups in terms of age and gender. Visual acuity (p < 0.001) was significantly different between the groups, while IOP (p = 0.068) was similar. Mean (p = 0.010), superior-temporal (p = 0.024), and superior-nasal (p = 0.011) RNFL thickness decreased significantly in correlation with the stage of DR. LCT decreased significantly as the stage of DR progressed in both vertical and horizontal radial OCT scans (p < 0.001). ALCD was not different between groups (p = 0.954 for horizontal scan, p = 0.867 for vertical scan). Peripapillary RNFL and LCT significantly decreases as the DR stage progresses. The biomechanical effects of the LC may also be responsible for diabetes-induced neurodegeneration.

Lamina Cribrosa Morphology in Normal-tension Glaucoma According to the Location of Visual Field Defects.

The morphological alterations in lamina cribrosa may be related to the location of visual field defects. The aim of this study was to investigate morphologic differences in the lamina cribrosa (LC) in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) according to the location of visual field (VF) defects. This study was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Ninety-six eyes of 96 patients with NTG were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the location of VF defects (parafoveal scotoma [PFS] and peripheral nasal step [PNS]). All patients underwent an optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the optic disc and macula using swept-source OCT (DRI-OCT Triton; Topcon, Tokyo, Japan). The parameters of the optic disc, macula, LC, and connective tissues were compared between the groups. The relationships between the LC parameters and other structures were analyzed. The temporal peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, average macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer, and average macular ganglion cell complex were significantly thinner in the PFS than in the PNS group (P<0.001, P<0.001, and P=0.012, respectively). The PFS group showed a more glaucomatous LC morphology with a smaller lamina cribrosa-global shape index (LC-GSI, P=0.047), more LC defects (P=0.034), and thinner LC (P=0.021) than the PNS group. LC-GSI was significantly correlated with LC thickness (P=0.011) but not with LC depth (P=0.149). In patients with NTG, those with initial PFS showed a more glaucomatous LC morphology than those with initial PNS. The morphological differences in LC may be related to the location of the VF defects.

Comparative Evaluation of Lamina Cribrosa Anatomical Parameters with Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Defects In Primary Open-angle Glaucoma Cases And Controls

OBJECTIVES To assess the lamina cribrosa (LC) anterior lamina cribrosa depth (ALCD), lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) cases and age-matched controls and to compare these anatomical variables among POAG cases and age-matched controls. METHODOLOGY The case-control study was researched at Al-Ain Eye Institute, Karachi, in four month’s duration (November 2018 till February 2019). Expert eye specialist recruited 57 POAG cases and 46 age-matched healthy controls. Observation of intraocular pressure (IOP) and open angle was done using Goldmann tonometry and Slit-lamp biomicroscopy with stereoscopic ophthalmoscopy respectively. Visual field parameters of mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD) measured using Humphrey Field Analyzer. Highly sensitive spectral domain ocular coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging (EDI-OCT) was used to determine ALCD, LCT and RNFLT. RESULTS Statistically significant results were produced by RNFLT defects when it is compared in groups of mild with moderate cases of POAG (P-value 0.037). ALCD and LCT did display an association with RNFLT defects but did not produced statistically significant results. CONCLUSION Assessments of ALCD and LCT can provide important prognostic evidence about RNFLT and can assist in future planning of mild and moderate cases suffering from POAG.

Tomography features of the lamina cribrosa and its scleral canal in different types and stages of the diabetic optic neuropathy

AbstractLamina cribrosa morphology is ever changing in health and disease, and its changes might cause primary optic nerve damage and secondary damage due to decreasing of blood supplying and axoplasmic transport. Anatomical narrowing of the lamina cribrosa scleral canal may be a precondition of optic nerve and retina damage in diabetes mellitus (DM).Purpose: to define the tomography changes of lamina cribrosa (LC) and its scleral canal depending on type and stage of diabetic optic neuropathy (DON).Methods: 575 patients (1150 eyes) with type 2 DM and 50 non‐diabetic control persons (100 eyes) aged 55.9 ± 7.8 years were examined. LC thickness was measured with optical coherent tomography (OCT) using LC_Thickness_programm.m and main_low_noise_filters_programm.m. The area of LC scleral canal was measured with SD OCT using the LC_cut_position_programm.m and LC_diameter_calculation_programm.m.Results: A correlation between type and stage of DON and LC thickness in diabetic patients was found. An average index of LC thickness in diabetic patients without DON was 1.4 times higher than in controls; in subclinical stage of axial DON – 1.9 times higher, in initial stage – 2.1 times higher, in severe stage of axial DON and diabetic papillopathy – 2.6 times higher, in anterior ischemic DON – 2.7 times higher, in dystrophic stage – 3.1 times higher than in controls (303 ± 56 μm) (р &lt; 0.001). Scleral canal area in diabetic papillopathy was 35% less and in anterior ischemic DON was 21.6% less than that in controls. A direct correlation between the area of LC scleral canal and the state of optic nerve head was found in diabetic papillopathy and ischemic DON (r = 0.89, р &lt; 0.001 and r = 0.93, р &lt; 0.001 соrrespondingly).Conclusions: A direct correlation between type and stage of DON and scleral LC thickness in patients with DM was revealed. Narrowing of LC scleral canal and thickening of LC were found to change in diabetic papillopathy and ischemic DON.

Lamina cribrosa curvature index: A reliable parameter to screen diabetic patients for glaucoma.

To compare the translaminar pressure difference (TLPD), anterior lamina cribrosa surface depth (ALCSD), lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT), lamina cribrosa curvature index (LCCI) and peripapillary vascular density (pVD) in diabetic and healthy subjects. Two hundred and eighty eyes of 140 patients (79 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) without diabetic retinopathy (DR) and 61 healthy subjects) were enrolled in this study. Full ophthalmological examination, as well as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A) images, were analyzed. The ALCSD, LCT, LCCI were measured by enhanced depth imaging (EDI) OCT and the pVD by OCT-A. The TLPD values and relationships between TLPD and lamina cribrosa features and pVD were investigated in all subjects. The ALCSD and LCT were significantly shallower and thinner in diabetic patients when compared to healthy subjects (p <0.001). There was no significant difference in the LCCI in diabetics 13.717 (5.74-33.91) vs healthy subjects 13.118 (5.53-27.05) (p = 0.181). OCT-A revealed that the pVD in the diabetic group was significantly lower than in the non-diabetic group (p <0.001). TLPD was significantly lower in diabetic patients compared to healthy controls. There are early changes in pVD and peripapillary vessel morphology in patients with DM. ALCSD and LCT were shallower and thinner in diabetic patients whereas the LCCI did not differ significantly. LCCI may be more valuable in assessing the lamina cribrosa (LC) of diabetic patients. The TLPD was found to be lower in diabetic patients compared to normal controls.

Can Lamina Cribrosa Indicate Optic Neuritis in Multiple Sclerosis?

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association of lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) and lamina cribrosa depth (LCD), as determined by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), with visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Patients enrolled in this prospective, cross-sectional study were divided into three groups. Group 1 consisted of 25 relapsing-remitting MS patients with VEP pathology in one or both eyes. In patients with VEP pathology in both eyes, one eye was chosen randomly. Group 2 comprised 25 relapsing-remitting MS patients with no VEP pathology or optic neuritis history. A randomly selected single eye of each patient was evaluated. Group 3 consisted of 25 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers; a randomly selected single eye of these participants was examined. LCT, LCD, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements were determined in four quadrants (superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal) by SD-OCT. The three groups were similar in terms of age and sex. The mean LCT was lower in Group 1 than in Group 2, but the difference was not statistically significant (268.80 ± 36.69 μm [min-max = 222-394 μm] versus 285.80 ± 12.00 μm [min-max = 249-338 μm]; P = 0.148). The mean LCT was significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 3 (268.80 ± 36.69 μm [min-max = 222-394 μm] versus 294.80 ± 12.00 μm [min-max = 232-351 μm]; P = 0.012). There was a weak positive correlation between LCT and RNFL-inferior, RNFL-nasal, and RNFL-temporal. We found that the lamina cribrosa was thinner in MS patients with VEP pathology. To the best of our knowledge, this is a novel finding. Our results imply that LCT could be used as an indicator of optic neuritis in MS patients.