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Longitudinal Change of Circumpapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Children With Optic Pathway Gliomas
Robert A Avery1, Avital Cnaan2, Joel S Schuman3
1The Gilbert Family Neurofibromatosis Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC; Department of Neurology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC; Department of Ophthalmology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC; Department of Pediatrics, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC; Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC.
Purpose:
To evaluate longitudinal changes in circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, as measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT), in children with optic pathway gliomas.
Design:
Longitudinal cohort study.
Methods:
Global and quadrant-specific circumpapillary RNFL thickness measures were acquired using either a hand-held SD OCT during sedation or a table-top SD OCT in children old enough to cooperate. Vision loss was defined as either a 0.2 logMAR decline in visual acuity or progression of visual field. Percent change in circumpapillary RNFL thickness in eyes experiencing vision loss was compared to eyes with stable vision.
Results:
Fifty-five eyes completed 250 study visits. Ten eyes (18%) from 7 patients experienced a new episode of vision loss during the study and 45 eyes (82%) from 39 patients demonstrated stable vision across study visits. Percent decline of RNFL thickness between the baseline visit and first event of vision loss event was greatest in the superior (-14%) and inferior (-10%) quadrants as well as global average (-13%). Using a threshold of ≥10% decline in RNFL, the positive and negative predictive value for vision loss when 2 or more anatomic sectors were affected was 100% and 94%, respectively.
Conclusions:
Children experiencing vision loss from their optic pathway gliomas frequently demonstrate a ≥10% decline of RNFL thickness in 1 or more anatomic sectors. Global average and the inferior quadrant demonstrated the best positive and negative predictive values. Circumpapillary RNFL is a surrogate marker of vision and could be helpful in making treatment decisions for children with optic pathway gliomas.
