Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in patients with no light perception secondary to optic atrophy.
BACKGROUND
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides useful structural information that can augment functional data. Newer spectral-domain technology provides faster and higher resolution images than time-domain machines. Although each measures the same structures, the values systematically differ. We evaluated eyes with longstanding no light perception (NLP) visual acuity secondary to optic atrophy using spectral-domain OCT to determine minimum retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness.


METHODS
The authors conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional chart review study to identify patients with NLP acuity for 8 months or more and having a good quality Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) to measure the RNFL thickness. An unpaired t test compared the eyes with a previously published data set measured with time-domain OCT.


RESULTS
Eleven eyes from 10 patients were examined with the Spectralis OCT. The mean duration of documented NLP acuity was 3.72 ± 1.20 years. The mean RNFL thickness was 34.18 ± 2.66 μm (95% confidence interval, 28.26-40.11 μm). Mean RNFL thickness was significantly thinner on this spectral-domain OCT than previously published values on time-domain OCT (34.18 vs 45.42 μm, P = 0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
Using the Spectralis OCT, mean RNFL thickness for NLP eyes due to optic atrophy is 28-40 μm. This provides clinicians useful information when considering how aggressively to manage patients with optic nerve disease.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0501, USA.
Sylvia L
SL
Groth
Andrew
A
Harrison
Alana L
AL
Grajewski
Michael S
MS
Lee
D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology*; D009896:Optic Atrophy / Q000473:pathology*; D055351:Retinal Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology