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

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.

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