Retinal peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness in a 13-year-old boy with neuromyelitis optica.
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.
Camicione
Paola
P
Ophthalmology Unit, Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genova, Italy.
Fodor
Estzer
E
Pannarello
Simona
S
Barabino
Stefano
S
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
D005938:Glucocorticoids