Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography
03:35

Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography

Published on: December 1, 2023

814

Reduced retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in children with severe obesity

J Pacheco-Cervera1, P Codoñer-Franch2,3, R Simó-Jordá2

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Doctor Peset University Hospital, Valencia, Spain.

Pediatric Obesity
|January 7, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obesity is linked to thinner retinal nerve fiber layers (RNFL), a potential indicator of optic nerve damage. This suggests obesity-related inflammation may harm retinal ganglion cells in children.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Optic nerve diseases can be asymptomatic.
  • Reduced retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness is linked to increased body mass index in adults.
  • Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between childhood obesity and RNFL thickness.
  • To assess if obesity-related factors correlate with RNFL changes in children.

Main Methods:

  • Included 97 children aged 5-14 years, categorized by BMI standard deviation score (SDS-BMI).
  • Analyzed metabolic risk parameters, adipocytokines (leptin, adiponectin), and interleukin-6.
  • Performed comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations and RNFL evaluation using optical coherence tomography.

Main Results:

  • Severely obese children (SDS-BMI > 4) exhibited decreased average, inferior, superior, and nasal RNFL thickness compared to other groups.
  • No significant association was found between obesity groups and temporal RNFL thickness.
  • A significant inverse correlation was observed between RNFL thickness and adiposity indices, leptin, and interleukin-6 in overweight and obese children.

Conclusions:

  • Adiposity and obesity-related inflammation may contribute to retinal ganglion cell loss in children.
  • Findings highlight a potential link between metabolic health and ocular structures in pediatric populations.
  • Early identification of RNFL changes in obese children could inform preventative strategies for eye health.
Abstract

Keywords:
Leptinoptical coherence tomographypaediatric obesityretinal nerve fibre layer

More Related Videos

In vivo Structural Assessments of Ocular Disease in Rodent Models using Optical Coherence Tomography07:44

In vivo Structural Assessments of Ocular Disease in Rodent Models using Optical Coherence Tomography

Published on: July 24, 2020

3.6K
Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia09:17

Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia

Published on: November 6, 2017

22.5K

Related Concept Videos

Diabetic Retinopathy01:27

Diabetic Retinopathy

DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...
8
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...
11.3K