Effects of low concentration atropine on macular microcirculation in children with different degrees of myopia / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

AIM: To investigate the effects of 0.01% atropine eye drops on macular blood flow density and retinal thickness in children with different degrees of myopia. METHODS: This was a prospective case-control study. Sixty-four patients (112 eyes) diagnosed with myopia for the first time with 0.01% atropine eye drops before and 6 months after medication were investigated with the uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCVA), axial length (AL), spherical equivalent (SE), macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thicknes (mGCIPL) using slit lamp examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT), vascular density in the macular area and the area of the avascular in the fovea using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) . Changes in various indicators before and after medication were compared. RESULTS: Compared with before medication, the AL of the three groups of myopia patients increased significantly (P0.05). The difference was statistically significant between the moderate myopia group and the high myopia group (P0.05). After 6 months of medication, the central circle macular vessel density (cCVD) increased in the low myopia group and moderate myopia group (P0.05). Before and after medication, there was no significant difference in outer circle macular vessel density (oCVD), inner circle macular vessel density (iCVD), and whole circle macular vessel density (wCVD) among the three myopia groups (P>0.05). The increase in mGCIPL was statistically significant in the low myopia group (P0.05). There was no significant difference in foveal avascular zone (FAZ) among the three myopia groups before and after medication (P>0.05). There was no correlation between CVD, AL, and SE in the three myopia groups (P>0.01). There was a low correlation between CVD and mGCIPL in the low myopia group (r=0.442, P0.01). CONCLUSION: 0.01% atropine can significantly reduce the rate of axial and refractive growth in children with low to moderate myopia, increase the density of central macular vessels, and increase the thickness of mGCIPL in children with low to moderate myopia.

Papillomacular bundle sparing versus conventional internal limiting membrane peeling for idiopathic macular hole ?400 µm

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of papillomacular bundle (PMB) sparing internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling (group LP) and conventional ILM peeling (group CP) for treatment of idiopathic macular hole (MH) of ?400 ?m. Methods: Fifteen eyes were included in each group. In group CP, conventional 360° peeling was done, while in group LP, ILM was spared over PMB. The changes in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness and ganglion cell?inner plexiform layer (GC?IPL) thickness were analyzed at 3 months. Results: MH was closed in all with comparable visual improvement. Postoperatively, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) was significantly thinner in the temporal quadrant in group CP. GC?IPL was significantly thinner in the temporal quadrants in group LP, whereas it was comparable in group CP. Conclusion: PMB sparing ILM peeling is comparable to conventional ILM peeling in terms of closure rate and visual gain, with the advantage of less retinal damage at 3 months.

Macular microstructural changes in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after silicone oil tamponade evaluated by SD-OCT / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To evaluate the macular microstructural changes in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD)after silicone oil tamponade by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT).METHODS:From November 2019 to July 2021, 27 patients with 27 eyes in RRD who underwent vitrectomy combined with silicone oil tamponade in Cangzhou Aier Eye Hospital were enrolled in this study as the observation group, other 30 healthy volunteers with 30 eyes were included in the control group. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)of patients before and after operation were observed, and quantified evaluation of the postoperative macular microstructural changes were performed by SD-OCT.RESULTS: The BCVA(LogMAR)of the observation group at 1wk and 3mo after operation(0.61±0.23, 0.69±0.34)were improved compared with those before operation(1.43±0.77)(all P<0.01). The cube volume and average cube thickness in the macular area at 3mo after operation in the observation group were lower than those at 1wk and 1mo after operation in the control group(all P<0.05). There were no differences in the average ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer(GCIPL)thickness, minimum GCIPL thickness, average macular retinal nerve fiber layer(mRNFL)thickness and minimum mRNFL thickness at 1wk, 1 and 3mo after operation in the observation group, but all decreased compared with the control group(all P<0.01). There were 9 eyes with subretinal fluid(SRF)in the observation group during postoperative follow-up, SRF had a tendency to be gradually absorbed, but 1 eye had a secondary macular hole; 3 eyes had ellipsoid zone disruption, which had a tendency to be gradually repaired; 2 eyes had submacular perfluorocarbon liquid; 2 eyes had macular edema.CONCLUSION: SD-OCT can show the microstructure and morphological changes very well in macular area in patients with RRD after silicone oil tamponade, and has important clinical value for the preoperative and postoperative follow-up evaluation of RRD.

Comparison of the thickness of macular ganglion cell inner plexiform layer in patients with a history of laser photocoagulation versus intravitreal injection of ranibizumab for retinopathy of prematurity / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To compare the thickness of the macular ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) in patients with a history of laser photocoagulation (LP) versus intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods:A retrospective clinical study. From June 2020 to January 2021, 70 eyes of 35 children with a history of surgery for ROP in Shenzhen Eye Hospital were included in the study. Among them, 18 males had 36 eyes, and 17 females had 34 eyes. The average age was 5.54±1.04 years. There were 18 patients (36 eyes) in LP group and 17 patients (34 eyes) in IVR group. There was no significant difference in age ( t=-1.956), sexual composition ratio ( χ2=0.030), birth gestational age ( t=-1.316) and birth weight ( t=-1.060) between the two groups ( P=0.059, 0.862, 0.197, 0.297). All the eyes underwent the examination of optical coherence tomography (OCT). An elliptical region of 14.13 mm 2 centered on macular fovea was scanned according to the macular cube 512×128 model of the Cirrus HD-OCT 5000. The software was used to automatically divide macular fovea into six sectors (superior, inferior, temporal-superior, temporal-inferior, nasal-superior and nasal-inferior) and the average and minimum thickness of mGCIPL. t test was used to compared mGCIPL thickness between two groups using independent samples. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between mGCIPL thickness and age, birth gestational age, birth weight. Results:Patients in IVR group had significantly decreased mGCIPL thickness than that in LP group in the six sectors (superior, inferior, temporal-superior, temporal-inferior, nasal-superior and nasal-inferior) and the average and minimum ( t=6.484, 6.719, 7.682, 7.697, 5.151, 5.008, 7.148, 6.581; P<0.05). The thickness of mGCIPL was not significantly correlated with age, birth gestational age, birth weight ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The thickness of mGCIPL in patients with IVR treatment history is thinner than that in LP treatment.

Quantitative analysis of macular structure and microvascular changes in patients with diabetic retinopathy at different stages / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To observe and quantitatively analyze the thickness of macular ganglion cell inner plexiform layer(GCIPL)and the characteristics of superficial retinal capillaries vessel density in different stages of diabetic retinopathy(DR)by optical coherence tomography(OCT)and optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).<p>METHODS: A retrospective case-control study. Thirty-three patients with diabetic(54 eyes)were selected as the DR group from December 2019 to May 2020. Among them, six patients(8 eyes)as non-diabetic retinopathy(NDR)group, eighteen patients(28 eyes)as non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR)group and nine patients(18 eyes)as proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)group according to fundus conditions. Eighteen healthy volunteers(26 eyes)without eye disease were selected as the normal group. The macular GCIPL thickness and the values of vascular linear density(vascular density, VD)and density of vascular perfusion(perfusion density, PD)in the superficial retinal capillaries vessels in each quadrant of macular region were observed and quantitatively analyzed in DR patients with different stages. <p>RESULTS: The VD, PD and minimum thickness of GCIPL in each quadrant of DR group was lower than that of the healthy control group(<i>P</i><0.05). The minimum thickness of GCIPL in macular area and the VD of superficial retinal capillaries in each quadrant decreased significantly in patients with different stages of diabetic retinopathy(<i>P</i><0.01). The inferior VD of superficial retinal capillaries vessels had the highest diagnostic value for DR(AUC=0.807, optimal diagnostic threshold value of 18.60 mm-1, sensitivity of 0.923, specificity of 0.648). The minimum thickness of GCIPL in macular area of DR patients was positively correlated with VD of superficial retinal capillaries vessels in each quadrant(<i>r</i>=0.342, 0.480, 0.384, 0.342, all <i>P</i><0.05). <p>CONCLUSION: OCT combined with OCTA can provide repeatable and quantifiable detection methods and monitoring indicators for early assessment and regular follow-up of DR progress.

Changes in the Ganglion Cell-inner Plexiform Layer after Consecutive Intravitreal Injections of Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Age-related Macular Degeneration Patients

Visual Field Changes after Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling in Glaucoma Patients with Epiretinal Membrane

PURPOSE: To report visual field changes after internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for macular epiretinal membrane (ERM) according to the severity of glaucoma. METHODS: A retrospective review of 37 eyes from 37 patients who underwent ILM peeling to treat ERM. Standard automated perimetry (Humphrey visual field 24-2 program) was performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Based on the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) scoring system of preoperative visual field, patients were classified into the early glaucoma (AGIS ≤ 1) group or the advanced glaucoma (AGIS ≥ 2) group. Postoperative visual field sensitivity at each point was compared with the preoperative value. RESULTS: Out of 37 eyes, 15 eyes had early glaucoma and 22 had advanced glaucoma. Eyes from both groups had poor postoperative visual field parameters. For eyes with advanced glaucoma, the visual field index was significantly reduced and the visual field damage was larger and wider compared to those with early glaucoma. In both groups, visual field impairment was greater on the nasal side than on the temporal side, and visual acuity was not significantly different. Postoperatively, the macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness was decreased, especially on the temporal side of advanced glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: Visual field impairment was greater and wider in eyes with advanced glaucoma than in those with early glaucoma after ILM peeling in patients with ERM.

Changes of ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer and retinal thickness in macular region after ICL implantation / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To investigate the changes of ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer and retina thickness in myopic eyes after intraocular collamer lens(ICL)implantation using quantitative optical coherence tomography(OCT).<p>METHODS:A prospective study enrolled 41 myopic eyes of 26 patients which underwent ICL implantation(average age: 28.19±6.28 years). Aaxial length(AL), uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), refractive diopter(RD), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), intraocular pressure(IOP)and OCT were measured and compared in all patients before and after surgery. Optical coherence tomography(OCT)was used to image central retinal thickness(CRT)and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness(GCT). The changes between pre-and postoperative were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance(ANOVA). Least significant difference test was used to compare the specific time points after operation with those before operation.<p>RESULTS: Compared with the preoperative data, all the patients showed significant improvements in the postoperative UCVA and BCVA(<i>P</i><0.05). However, there was no statistical significance in IOP. CRT were 273.20 ±25.48, 274.07±27.64, 277.85 ±25.49, and 275.99 ±24.68μm before and after surgery, respectively, while GCT were 85.31 ±5.19, 88.95±6.87, 87.73±4.23, and 87.45±4.59μm, respectively, with statistically significant changes(all <i>P</i> <0.05). Among them, CRT increased in one month after operation, with statistical significance(<i>P</i><0.01). GCT increased in 1wk, 1mo and 3mo after operation, with statistical significance(<i>P</i><0.05). The changes of GCT in 1wk after operation was positively correlated with AL(<i>r</i>s=0.529, <i>P</i>=0.001).<p>CONCLUSION:ICL implantation for myopic eyes has good efficacy and safety, but macular area changes will occur after surgery, which need to be paid attention to.

Long-term Changes in the Peripapillary RNFL and Macular GCIPL Thicknesses after Panretinal Photocoagulation in Diabetic Retinopathy Patients

PURPOSE: To investigate longitudinal changes in the thicknesses of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and the macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) in patients with diabetic retinopathy 3 years after panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 60 eyes of 35 patients who were diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and treated with PRP. The pRNFL and mGCIPL thicknesses were measured by optical coherence tomography at baseline, and then at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, and 36 months after PRP. RESULTS: The pRNFL and mGCIPL thicknesses (average and all sections) at 1 year after PRP increased significantly from baseline (p < 0.05, respectively). The average pRNFL and mGCIPL thicknesses showed a tendency to decrease continuously from 2 years after PRP (p < 0.05, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the average thicknesses of the pRNFL and the mGCIPL between pre-PRP (92.27 ± 7.76 µm, and 85.00 ± 4.80 µm, respectively) and 3 years after PRP (93.93 ± 7.49 µm, and 81.87 ± 14.00 µm, respectively) (p = 0.121, and p = 0.622, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although the pRNFL and the mGCIPL thicknesses increased at 1 year after PRP, there was no statistical difference in the average thicknesses of the pRNFL and the mGCIPL between pre-PRP and 3 years after PRP. These results should be considered with respect to the diagnosis and progression of glaucoma in patients with diabetic retinopathy who undergo PRP.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Retinal Structure in Patients with Traumatic Optic Neuropathy Using Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: We used optical coherence tomography (OCT) for longitudinal evaluation of structural changes in the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), the macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL), and the macula in patients with traumatic optic neuropathy. METHODS: From May 2012 to April 2015, the medical records of 20 patients with monocular traumatic optic neuropathy who were followed up for over 6 months were retrospectively analyzed. Best-corrected visual acuity was checked and Cirrus high-definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) was used to measure the thicknesses of the peripapillary RNFL, macular GC-IPL, and macula of both eyes at the first visit (within 4 weeks after trauma), at 10 and 24 weeks after trauma, and at the final visits. The differences over time in the parameters of the traumatic and fellow eyes were analyzed. RESULTS: The final best-corrected visual acuities of the traumatic and fellow eyes differed significantly from those at the first visit (p = 0.007). The average thicknesses of the peripapillary RNFL, the macular GC-IPL, and the macula differed significantly between the traumatic and fellow eyes commencing 10 weeks after trauma (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Significant changes in visual acuity preceded structural changes in the retina. Objective assessment of retinal structural changes using OCT yields helpful information on the clinical course of patients with traumatic optic neuropathy.

Age-associated changes in the inner macular thickness and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective To determine the difference of macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) thickness and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness using Cirrus HD-OCT between older and young people in order to provide information for glaucomatous progressive analysis.Methods A prospective case series study was adopted.Sixty-seven old persons (114 eyes) aged 60-80 years old were selected from retired staff of an institution who underwent routine physical examinations between June and July 2016 in Beijing Tongren Hospital as older group and 24 young persons(42 eyes) aged (20-40 years old) who underwent routine physical examination at the same period were selected as young group.The total superior,superonasal,inperonasal,inferior,inferotemporal and superotemporal mGCIPL thickness and PRNFL thickness were measured by Cirrus HD-OCT.The research followed the Declaration of Helsinki.The ethics committee of the Tongren Eye Center approved the study and all participants provided an informed consent.Results There were statistical differences in all measurement parameters (mGCIPL and pRNFL) between older and young people (all at P＜0.05) except nasal pRNFL thickness.Minimum mGCIPL thickness was significantly different between older and young group [(74.02±11.01) pm vs.(82.74 ±3.94) μm;t =-7.290,P＜0.001],while in the pRNFL parameters,temporal pRNFL thickness was siginicantly changed between older and young group [(70.83 ± 12.30) μm vs.(82.10 ± 17.02) μm;t =-3.930,P ＜ 0.001].The nasal pRNFL thickness showed no significant difference between the two groups.Conclusions All mGCIPL and most pRNFL parameters in older people were obviously thinner than young people except nasal pRNFL,age factor should be considered seriously in the progression analysis of glaucomatous neuropathy.

Correlation of macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness with myopia / 眼科新进展

Objective To analyze the correlation of the macular retinal ganglion cells-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness and the axial length and refractive power in myopia,thereby providing guidance for GCIPL thickness analysis in myopic glaucoma patients.Methods A total of 95 patients (190 eyes) with different degrees of myopia were recruited from October 2015 to September 2016 in Shenyang HE Eye Hospital,with age ranging from 18 to 36 years.Variables including gender,age,axial length,medical optometry diopter (spherical equivalent),GCIPL thickness (the mean,minimum,superior,inferior,temporal superior,temporal inferior,nasal inferior and nasal superior parameter) were recorded.According to diopter,all patients were divided into A group (-0.25 to-3.00D),Bgroup (-3.25 to-6.00 D),C group (＞-6.00 D);moreover,according to the axial length,they were assigned into A1 group (22 to 24 mm),B1group (＞24 to 26 mm) and C1 group (＞26 mm),and all above variables were compared.Single factor analysis of variance was used to analyze the differences in GCLIP thickness parameters between the 3 groups and Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation of GCIPL thickness with different diopters and axial length.Results There was no significant difference in gender and age,but there were significant differences in the mean diopter and axial length among the 3 groups (F =523.963,P =0.000;F =57.452,P =0.000).And a negative correlation was presented between axis length and refractive power (r =-0.707,P =0.000) in all patients.There were significant differences in GCIPL thickness (the mean,minimum,superior,inferior,temporal superior,temporal inferior,nasal inferior and nasal superior parameter) among A,B and C group (F =3.231-16.500,all P ＜ 0.05) as well as among A1,B1 and C1 group (F =5.234-19.999,all P ＜ 0.05).The thickness of GCIPL was negatively correlated with refraction power (r =-0.419 to-0.153,all P ＜ 0.05),and the axial length(r =-0.407 to-0.241,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion With the increase of diopter and axial length,the thickness of GCLIP gets thinner in myopic patients.The effect of axial length should be taken into consideration when the GCLIP thickness of myopic glaucoma patients is evaluated.

Analysis of Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness after Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness after internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling with or without intravitreal gas injection (IVGI) or surgical induction of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). METHODS: Eighty patients who were diagnosed with epiretinal membrane (ERM) or macular hole and who received surgical intervention were retrospectively reviewed. Forty patients were treated with ILM peeling and forty patients were treated with ERM removal, but not with ILM peeling. The patients were categorized according to ILM peeling, IVGI, and surgical induction of PVD. The GCIPL thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography, and the average and sectorial thickness of GCIPL were compared. RESULTS: The GCIPL thickness in the ILM peeling group significantly decreased (-13.80 ± 22.63 µm; p < 0.001), but was not significantly different in the ERM removal without ILM peeling group, compared with the preoperative GCIPL thickness (+1.21 ± 22.53 µm; p = 0.546). The difference was statistically significant between the two groups (p = 0.038). In the ILM peeling group, GCIPL thickness was not significantly different in the IVGI group (-17.41 ± 23.92 µm vs. -7.25 ± 19.05 µm; p = 0.109) and was significantly decreased in the surgical induction of the PVD group (-23.06 ± 23.92 µm vs. -7.25 ± 19.05 µm; p = 0.020). On sectorial analysis, reduction of the temporal GCIPL thickness was the largest and was significantly different compared with the nasal GCIPL thickness in ILM peeling group (-19.73 ± 28.55 µm vs. -7.42 ± 19.90 µm; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: ILM peeling and surgical induction of PVD may damage ganglion cells. Therefore, gentle ILM peeling and surgical induction of PVD may be needed to minimize ganglion cell damage, especially when ILM peeling is performed in glaucomatous patients.

Correlation between Macular GCIPL Thickness and Visual Acuity after Resolution of Diabetic Macular Edema

PURPOSE: To evaluate the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness and macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) thickness in eyes with resolved diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS: Twenty eyes of diabetic retinopathy patients with resolved DME (DME group) after treatment, and 20 eyes of diabetic retinopathy patients without DME (no-DME group) were included in this study. The pRNFL thickness, mGCIPL thickness and central macular thickness (CMT) were measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Analyses were performed to determine the correlation between the different thicknesses and the visual function. RESULTS: No significant difference in mean CMT was observed between the DME and no-DME groups. Average pRNFL thickness in the DME group was thicker than in the no-DME group (p = 0.003). Average mGCIPL thickness in the DME group was thinner than in the no-DME group (p = 0.030). Final visual acuity was significantly correlated with average mGCIPL thickness and minimum mGCIPL thickness, but not pRNFL thickness and CMT in the DME group. CONCLUSIONS: mGCIPL thickness decreased in the DME group compared with the no-DME group and was correlated with the visual acuity. These results suggested that inner retinal injury in patients with DME might lead to poor visual outcome after treatment.

Thickness in Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer on Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography after Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To assess changes in ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness after cataract surgery using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: Forty-three eyes of 33 patients, who underwent cataract surgery were imaged with spectral-domain OCT before and after surgery to measure peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and GCIPL thickness, signal strength (SS), quadrant, 12 clock-hour RNFL thickness and sectoral GCIPL thickness. RESULTS: The postoperative SS, RNFL and GCIPL thickness were higher than before surgery (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that endothelial cell count and preoperative SS were significantly correlated with SS changes in RNFL parameters and preoperative SS was significantly correlated with SS changes in GCIPL parameters. Univariate analysis indicated that age was significantly correlated with RNFL thickness changes in RNFL parameters and no factor was correlated with GCIPL thickness in GCIPL parameters (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cataracts may decrease peripapillary RNFL and GCIPL thickness measurements and SS on OCT scans. Peripapillary RNFL and GCIPL thickness measurements should be interpreted with caution in eyes with significant cataracts.

Comparison of Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer after Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To observe the change in the measured thickness of ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness before and after cataract surgery. METHODS: Forty-six eyes of 32 patients, scheduled to have cataract surgery, were imaged with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Cirrus HD OCT) before and 5 weeks after the surgery to measure GCIPL and RNFL thickness repeatly. RESULTS: All GCIPL and RNFL thickness parameters were significantly higher postoperatively compared with preoperative measurements (p < 0.001). RNFL thickness changed more than GCIPL; the increased amount of mean RNFL thickness (14.16%) was higher than GCIPL thickness (7.36%; p < 0.001). GCIPL and RNFL thicknesses and, GCIPL signal strength changes were significantly increased in all types of cataracts (p < 0.05). RNFL signal strength change was significantly increased in posterior subcapsular cataracts (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cataracts may affect GCIPL and RNFL thicknesses. After cataract surgery, GCIPL thickness, similar to the RNFL thickness, was increased significantly. As GCIPL thickness may be less affected by cataracts than RNFL thickness, GCIPL thickness may be a more meaningful indicator for the diagnosis of glaucoma with cataract.

Difference of GCIPL Thickness of Diabetes and Normal Eyes in Spectral Domain OCT

PURPOSE: To analyze the difference of the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness in diabetic and normal eyes of patients using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA). METHODS: The authors compared and analyzed the difference of the GCIPL thickness measured with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in 42 diabetic and 92 normal subjects. RESULTS: The study subjects were divided into 3 groups: 92 normal subjects, 22 diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy, and 26 diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy. Presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) or diabetic retinopathy did not influence the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. The GCIPL thickness tended to be thinner especially in the superior sector GCIPL. The GCIPL thickness of normal subjects, diabetes patients without diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic retinopathy patients was 82.24 +/- 7.21 microm, 81.86 +/- 9.53 microm, and 76.77 +/- 14.13 microm, respectively, especially in the superior sector GCIPL (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Retinal ganglion cell layer thinning was induced by diabetes and diabetic retinopathy, and originated specifically from the superior part of the retina.

Change in the mGC-IPL in Patients with a History of APAC According to SD-OCT

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to measure macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGC-IPL) thickness in patients with a history of unilateral single attack of acute primary angle closure (APAC) and to compare it with that of unaffected fellow eyes 8 weeks after resolution using spectrum domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: Medical records of 24 patients with history of first episode of unilateral APAC were reviewed retrospectively. Eight weeks after APAC, mGC-IPL thickness and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were measured with SD-OCT and analyzed in eyes affected by APAC (group 1) and fellow eyes (group 2). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to best corrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent, central corneal thickness, or axial length (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences in mGC-IPL thickness in the superotemporal, superior, or superonasal sectors (p > 0.05). However, average, inferonasal, inferior, and inferotemporal sectors of group 1 were significantly thinner than those of group 2 (p = 0.002, 0.002, 0.001, 0.001, respectively). In addition, average mGC-IPL difference between affected eyes and fellow eyes showed a statistically significant correlation with attack duration (correlation coefficient = 0.249, p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Normalization of elevated intraocular pressure as soon as possible after APAC onset is recommended in order to reduce mGC-IPL loss, and measurements of mGC-IPL thickness can be helpful for follow-up of APAC patients.

Decreased Retinal Thickness in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND: The loss of ganglion cells observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients might be attributable to a neurodegenerative process involving the neuroretinal structure. The objective of this study was to determine the retinal thickness in patients with AD using optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: Neuro-ophthalmologic examinations were performed in eight AD patients and eight age-matched control subjects. The average thicknesses of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) were measured using spectral-domain OCT in both subject groups, and the results were compared. RESULTS: The RNFL was thinner in AD patients than in the age-matched controls (p<0.05), especially at the nasal and inferior retina, and the GCIPL was also significantly thinner (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The decreased retinal thickness observed in AD patients suggests that OCT can be used as a biological marker of AD. The findings of this preliminary study suggest that the extent of the reduction in GCIPL and RNFL thicknesses should be investigated further.