title: Retinal peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness in a 13-year-old boy with neuromyelitis optica.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report changes in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in a patient with neuromyelitis optica (NMO).
  
  
  METHODS
  A 13-year-old Caucasian boy presented with reduced visual acuity in both eyes, headache, and neck pain associated with left hand burning sensation. Clinical and laboratory examination, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MRI showed spinal cord abnormality and acute myelitis, but normal optic nerve head. A significant reduction of the average and temporal area RNFL thickness was recorded in both eyes by OCT. Six months after initial steroid treatment, visual acuity and visual field slightly improved, but RNFL thickness was further reduced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RNFL thickness measurement with OCT should be performed not only in adults, but also in young patients in case of suspected NMO to confirm the diagnosis and to monitor the disease.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Unit, Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Camicione
authors.forename: Estzer
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fodor
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pannarello
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barabino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology*; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids