Changes in the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer in Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Revealed by Means of the Optical Coherence Tomography

Overview

Aim of this study was to reveal the contribution of the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to the diagnosis and the follow-up of the non-arteritic form of the anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) and to establish quantitative changes of the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in the peripapillar and the macular regions.

In a group of 12 eyes with non-arteritic AION the authors performed the measurements of the average RNFL thickness by means of OCT. The measurements were taken peripapillary and in the macular region. The measurements were taken in the acute phase of the disease and at least three months after the beginning of the disease during a follow-up control. At the time of both examinations, the static perimetry was performed as well. All findings were compared to each other.

During the follow-up period, the authors proved statistically significant decrease of the thickness of the RNFL. The mean thickness in the acute phase (mean ± SD) was 219.26 ± 61.02 μm, decreased at the follow-up control to 69.44 ± 20.40 μm. This value corresponds to the postischemic atrophy and was always lower than the measurement in the other, healthy eye. The damages were in strong correlation to the perimetry changes.

Key words:
OCT, AION, perimetry