Scanning laser polarimetry in pulmonary tuberculosis patients on chemotherapy.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to analyse the thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) of pulmonary tuberculosis patients on ethambutol and isoniazid.


METHODS
This was a prospective cohort study where patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis requiring chemotherapy, including ethambutol and isoniazid, were imaged using scanning laser polarimetry. Their mean baseline RNFL thickness and various scanning laser polarimetry parameters of both eyes were measured 2 weeks after the commencement of chemotherapy. The measurements were repeated at 3 months and 6 months after treatment. The various parameters of the baseline and the follow-up measurements were compared using paired sample t-test with Bonferroni correction.


RESULTS
Twenty-four patients (16 males and 8 females; mean age, 51.0 +/- 17.6 years) were recruited. There was no statistically significant difference between the baseline and the follow-up measurements in RNFL thickness and all other scanning laser polarimetry parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
In this cohort of subjects, there was no subclinical change in RNFL thickness detected by scanning laser polarimetry in pulmonary tuberculosis patients on chemotherapy, including ethambutol and isoniazid, after 6 months of treatment.
Tang
Wilson W T
WW
Department of Ophthalmology, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Lai
Jimmy S M
JS
Tham
Clement C Y
CC
Chan
Kam-Keung
KK
Chan
Kin-Sang
KS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D004977:Ethambutol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D004977:Ethambutol; D007538:Isoniazid