Articoli Scientifici di Oftalmologia
Argomento : 32
Pattern of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Loss in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Analysis
Introduction: Optic disc hypoplasia is a common feature in fetal alcohol syndrome. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the optic disc
morphology changes and the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in these patients.
Material and Methods: We performed spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in a cohort of 11 patients (22 eyes) with fetal
alcohol syndrome and in an age-matched control group. We evaluated optic nerve head parameters (optic disc area and diameter, rim
area, cup/disc horizontal and vertical ratios) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness.
Results: Mean optic disc area, rim area and optic disc diameter were, respectively, in fetal alcohol syndrome patients and control
subjects: 1.540 ± 0.268 and 1.748 ± 0.326 mm2
; 1.205 ± 0.286 and 1.461 ± 0.314 mm2
; 1.417 ± 0.124 and 1.501 ± 0.148 mm (p < 0.05).
We found no significant differences between groups for cup/disc ratios. Mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was significantly lower
in fetal alcohol syndrome patients (90.500 ± 9.344 µm) as compared to controls (111.000 ± 7.855 µm) (p < 0.0001). Analysis showed
a significant decrease in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness for the superior, inferior and nasal quadrants (p < 0.005). The temporal
quadrant showed no significant differences.
Discussion: Optic disc area, rim area and optic disc diameters were significantly reduced in fetal alcohol syndrome patients. Although
mean peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was decreased, the temporal quadrant was spared.
Conclusion: In addition to a smaller optic disc area/ diameter and rim area, we found a heterogeneous peripapillary retinal nerve
fiber layer thickness loss in fetal alcohol syndrome patients with sparing of the temporal quadrant. Spectral-domain optical coherence
tomography may be useful to determine the presence of fetal alcohol syndrome status.
Keywords: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders; Optic Nerve Diseases; Nerve Fibers; Retina.