title: Cystic fibrosis and new trends by ophthalmological evaluation: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by hypoxia that affects several organic tissues. Retinal ganglion cells may suffer from the hypoxic status, and this may lead to alterations of retinal nerve fiber.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two eyes in CF patients were analyzed. A complete ocular evaluation and visual field exams of the 30 central degrees were performed using the frequency doubling technology (FDT). Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%), forced vital capacity (FVC%), oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SpO2%), and hematocrit (Ht%) have been calculated. FDT analyzed parameters were mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD). Pearson's correlation was chosen as statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data showed statistically significant relationship between MD and Ht% (r value -0.18; P = 0.04), MD and FEV1% (r value -0.68; P = 0.001), and MD and FVC% (r value -0.45; P = 0.005). Moreover, there were correlations between PSD and Ht% (r value 0.29; P = 0.03), PSD and SpO2% (r value -0.31; P = 0.01), PSD and FEV1% (r value 0.71; P = 0.0005), and PSD and FVC% (r value 0.63; P = 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The oxygen supply alterations might determine hypoxia of the ganglion cells causing a decrease of receptive optic nerve fiber activity. This method could be also useful to evaluate indirectly pulmonary activity of the CF disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sense Organs, Ocular Electrophysiology Center, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy ; Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marcella
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5512-0849
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nebbioso
authors.affiliation: Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy ; Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quattrucci
authors.affiliation: Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy ; Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leggieri
authors.affiliation: Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy ; Department of Ophthalmology, Polo Pontino, A. Fiorini Hospital, Via Firenze, 04019 Terracina, Italy.
authors.forename: Leopoldo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1190-3956
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spadea
authors.affiliation: Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy ; Department of Ophthalmology, Polo Pontino, A. Fiorini Hospital, Via Firenze, 04019 Terracina, Italy.
authors.forename: Enzo Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Vingolo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005123:Eye / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D055815:Young Adult