Long term follow-up of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in eyes with optic nerve head drusen

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of optic nerve head drusen (ONHD) on the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness during follow-up period. METHODS: Twenty-three non-glaucomatous eyes having clinically visible ONHD confirmed by colored disc photos were studied. RNFL thickness was determined with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Eyes were re-examined after average of 18 months (ranging between 14 and 22 months). Mean RNFL thickness of each quadrant was compared with previous results at each follow-up visit. RESULTS: Mean RNFL thickness was 88.43 +/- 10.2 micron at first visit and 90.35 +/- 6.9 micron at follow-up in eyes with clinically visible ONHD. The difference between the mean RNFL thickness measured from inferior, superior, nasal and temporal quadrant at first and follow-up visits was not significant (paired t-test, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The presence of drusen was found to have no effect on RNFL thickness at follow-up visits. OCT may provide a useful means to evaluate and follow up the RNFL thickness in these patients.