title: The time course of visual field recovery and changes of retinal ganglion cells after optic chiasmal decompression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the time course of visual field recovery and changes of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after chiasmal decompression using standard automated perimetry (SAP), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and photopic negative response (PhNR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen patients undergoing chiasmal decompression surgery were prospectively assessed before and 1 and 3 months after surgery. The same examinations were conducted in nine patients at 6 months after surgery. Mean deviation and temporal visual field sensitivity (1/Lambert) of SAP, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and ganglion cell complex (GCC) area measured by OCT and PhNR/b-wave ratio were analyzed. Preoperative measurements were compared with those of 20 eyes of normal controls. Postoperative measurements were compared with preoperative data. The relationships among SAP, OCT, and PhNR measurements throughout the observation periods were evaluated by linear and logarithmic regressions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before surgery, all parameters in patients were significantly worse than those in normal controls. After surgery, the visual field was significantly improved, but RNFL thickness and GCC area were significantly reduced for 3 months. The PhNR/b-wave ratio was also reduced, but not significantly. Six months after surgery, average RNFL thickness, GCC area, and PhNR/b-wave ratio showed significant improvements by 2.82%, 2.66%, and 8.72%, respectively, than those at 3 months. Visual fields were significantly correlated with RNFL thickness, GCC area, and PhNR/b-wave ratio.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Visual field recovery and changes of RGCs after chiasmal decompression have similar aspects and are significantly correlated. However, prolonged retrograde degeneration progressed for some period, even after surgical decompression and visual field recovery preceded demonstrable retinal regeneration.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Republic of Korea.
authors: Chan Hee
authors: CH
authors: Moon
authors: Sun Chul
authors: SC
authors: Hwang
authors: Young-Hoon
authors: YH
authors: Ohn
authors: Tae Kwann
authors: TK
authors: Park
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008579:Meningioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology; D009897:Optic Chiasm / Q000601:surgery*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology*