Retinal nerve fiber layer measurement by optical coherent tomography in patients with acute optic neuritis

Abstract

Purpose: to measure retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) by optical coherent tomography in patients with acute optic neuritis (ON). Methods:Twenty healthy controls and 13 patients suffering from acute ON were included in the study. RNFL thickness was analyzed with spectral domain OCT (RS 3000 Advance Nidec Co., Japan) after pupil dilatation. Results: Patients group consisted from 4 males and 9 females as control group consisted from 4 males and 9 females. The control and study group was matched for age and gender. RNFL thickness around the optic nerve head we measured in the first day of hospitalization before treatment with melitprednisolone. Results revealed that RNFL were swelled, but not statistically significant in superior quadrant, comparing the average value in patients with ON and in the controls. Conclusion: optical coherence tomography can provide useful information in the diagnosis of acute optic neuritis.