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Retinal and optic nerve evaluation by optical coherence tomography in adults with obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS)

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Abstract

Objective

To assess the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, optic nerve head (ONH) morphologic parameters, and macular thickness and volume in patients affected by obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Methods

This prospective, observational case-control study consisted of 96 eyes of 50 OSAHS patients (mean age of 50.9 ± 12.4 years, best-corrected visual acuity ≥20/20, refractive error less than 3 spherocylindrical diopters, and intraocular pressure <21 mmHg) who were enrolled and compared with 64 eyes of 33 age-matched controls. Peripapillary RNFL thickness, ONH parameters, macular thickness and volume were measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Results

OSAHS patients showed a significant reduction of the nasal quadrant RNFL thickness (74.7 ± 15.8 μm) compared with those values observed in control patients (81.1 ± 16.6 μm, p = 0.047, Student's t-test). No differences in peripapillary RNFL thickness were observed when dividing the OSAHS group in accordance with disease severity. Vertical integrated rim area (VIRA) (0.67 ± 0.41 mm3 in OSAHS vs 0.55 ± 0.29 mm3 in controls; p = 0.043, Student's t-test), horizontal integrated rim width (HIRW) (1.87 ± 0.31 mm2 in OSAHS vs 1.8 ± 0.25 mm2 in controls; p = 0.039, Student's t-test) and disc area (2.74 ± 0.62 mm2 in OSAHS vs 2.48 ± 0.42 mm2 in controls; p = 0.002, Student's t-test) showed significant differences, all of them being higher in the OSAHS group. Severe OSAHS had significant higher disc area (2.8 ± 0.7 mm2) than controls (2.5 ± 0.4 mm2; p = 0.016, ANOVA test). Temporal inner macular thickness was significantly higher in mild–moderate OSAHS patients (270 ± 12 μm) than in severe OSAHS patients (260 ± 19 μm; p = 0.021, ANOVA test).

Conclusions

OSAHS patients showed decreased peripapillary nasal RNFL thickness, and increased ONH area and volume parameters when they were evaluated by OCT. These findings suggest that neuronal degeneration might be present in the retina of OSAHS patients, as previously observed in some neurodegenerative disorders

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Lozano Blesa University Clinic Hospital, San Juan Bosco 15, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain

    Paula Casas, Francisco J. Ascaso & José A. Cristóbal

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Isabel La Católica1-3, Zaragoza, Spain

    Eugenio Vicente, Gloria Tejero-Garcés & María I. Adiego

  3. Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud, San Juan Bosco 13, Zaragoza, Spain

    Francisco J. Ascaso

Authors
  1. Paula Casas
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  2. Francisco J. Ascaso
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  3. Eugenio Vicente
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  4. Gloria Tejero-Garcés
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  5. María I. Adiego
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  6. José A. Cristóbal
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Correspondence to Paula Casas.

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The authors confirm that they were fully involved in the study and preparation of the manuscript, and that the material within has not been and will not be submitted for publication elsewhere. The authors have full control of all primary data, and they agree to allow Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology to review their data upon request. The authors have no financial interests in any aspect of this study.

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Casas, P., Ascaso, F.J., Vicente, E. et al. Retinal and optic nerve evaluation by optical coherence tomography in adults with obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 251, 1625–1634 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-013-2268-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-013-2268-9

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