title: The Effect of Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome on the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Choroid Thickness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and choroid thickness in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG) compared to healthy volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional, prospective study included 43 patients with PXG, 45 patients with PEX syndrome, and 48 healthy volunteers. The RNFL and macular thickness were analyzed with standard OCT protocol while choroidal thickness was analyzed with EDI protocol in all subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The RNFL thickness was higher in the PEX and control groups compared to the PXG group (p<0.001). The choroid thickness was significantly higher in the control group compared to the PXG and PEX groups (p<0.05). No significant difference was detected between the both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PEX might weaken choroid circulation by accumulating in choroid vessels. The thinner choroid in the PXG group suggests that ischemia affects the duration of PEX and has a role in the development of glaucoma.
authors.affiliation: a Kayseri Training and Research Hospital Eye Clinic , Kayseri , Turkey.
authors.forename: Süleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demircan
authors.affiliation: b Niğde State Hospital Eye Clinic , Kayseri , Turkey.
authors.forename: Uğur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Yılmaz
authors.affiliation: b Niğde State Hospital Eye Clinic , Kayseri , Turkey.
authors.forename: Erkut
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Küçük
authors.affiliation: a Kayseri Training and Research Hospital Eye Clinic , Kayseri , Turkey.
authors.forename: M Döndü
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ulusoy
authors.affiliation: a Kayseri Training and Research Hospital Eye Clinic , Kayseri , Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ataş
authors.affiliation: a Kayseri Training and Research Hospital Eye Clinic , Kayseri , Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gülhan
authors.affiliation: c Erciyes University Biostatistic Department , Kayseri , Turkey.
authors.forename: Gökmen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zararsız
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002829:Choroid / Q000473:pathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017889:Exfoliation Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Choroid thickness; RNFL thickness; glaucoma; pseudoexfoliation