Title: Evaluation of Peripapillary RNFL (Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer) in Sickle cell disease at a Tertiary Care Centre

Authors: Snehal Bonde Chaurasiya, Dr Mona Deshmukh, Dr Swarna Gaikwad

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i5.69

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) in patients with sickle cell disease by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and to correlate any changes with macular thinning on OCT.

Method: The clinical, prospective study was carried out with 50 Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients & 50 control patients. For the study Glaucoma & other ocular diseases were excluded. Complete ophthalmic evaluation & OCT was performed. The patients were divided in 2 groups, focal macular thinning & no macular thinning made and Peripapillary RNFL thickness was measured.

Result: It was found that Sickle Cell patients with macular thinning had thinner mean peripapillary RNFL thickness in nasal sector compared with control eyes & in superotemporal sector compared with Sickle Cell patient eyes without macular thinning. In severe macular thinning, mean peripapillary RNFL thickness was significantly thinner than controls.

Conclusion: Sickle Cell patients without glaucoma & with focal macular thinning have thinner peripapillary RNFL than controls & those without macular thinning. Degree of RNFL thinning correlates with severity of temporal macular thinning. These patients may require different peripapillary RNFL thickness thresholds for future glaucoma evaluations.

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Corresponding Author

Snehal Bonde Chaurasiya

GMCH, Nagpur