Evaluation of the retinal, choroidal, and nerve fiber layer thickness changes in patients with toxic anterior segment syndrome

To evaluate changes in choroidal, retinal, and nerve fiber layer (NFL) thickness following toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS).

Macular and peripapillary choroidal thickness was measured using enhanced depth imaging (EDI) optical coherence tomography (OCT) on the day of the diagnosis and on three follow-up exams (months 1 to 4). A similar OCT analysis of central retinal and NFL thickness was performed.

Thirteen TASS patients were included. Average age was 72.8 ± 8.7 years. Macular choroidal thickness in the superior, subfoveal, and nasal macula in the study eye was larger than the control eye and decreased at months 2-4. This was statistically significant only for the superior macula (p = 0.004). Peripapillary choroidal thickness was larger in the study eye at baseline compared with the control eye-significantly so in the nasal (p = 0.026) and inferior (p = 0.033) locations. Peripapillary choroidal thickness peaked at the baseline or 1st month exam and decreased thereafter. Retinal thickness increased significantly with time, peaking at the 2nd month and decreasing thereafter. No changes were found in the NFL.

TASS may have a transient effect on the choroid. Changes in retinal thickness are probably a normal transient postoperative response and not a result of TASS.