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Macular nerve‐fiber‐layer measurement in early stage Alzheimer’s disease using optical coherence tomography
Author(s) -
GARCIA MARTIN ES,
DE HOZ R,
ROJAS B,
GIL P,
YUBERO R,
RAMIREZ JM
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2013.3771.x
Subject(s) - nerve fiber layer , ophthalmology , optical coherence tomography , medicine , retinal , stage (stratigraphy) , atrophy , ganglion , optic nerve , glaucoma , visual acuity , anatomy , pathology , paleontology , biology
Purpose Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by brain neuronal loss resulting in brain atrophy. Post‐mortem studies show a loss of retinal ganglion cells in this neurodegenerative disease. The purpose of this study was to compare thicknesses of the macular nerve‐fiber layer (MNFL) by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) between early AD patients and control. Methods Twenty GDS 4 AD patients and 25 controls were examined at Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid (Spain). Patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic exam (visual acuity, refraction, color test, biomicroscopy, IOP, dilated fundoscopy, and OCT). OCT macular measurements were made by dividing the macula into 9 areas: i) a central area of 1mm radius (fovea); ii) two concentric areas of 3 mm and 6 mm each were subdivided in 4 regions: nasal, temporal, upper and lower. Results In comparison with the control group, patients with early‐stage AD presented a significant MNFL decrease (p <0.05) in the central area and in the 3 mm paracentral area. In the 6mm paracentral area statistically significant differences were restricted to the temporal region. Conclusion In early‐stage AD (GDS4), the MNFL was decreased. The measurement of macular thickness by OCT could be a complementary tool for early diagnosis and control progression of AD.