Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy
Published on: April 11, 2019
Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Alterations after Electroconvulsive Therapy in Patients with Mental Illness
Didar Ucar1, Nazım Yıldız2, Mustafa Hepokur3
1a Department of Ophthalmology , İstanbul University, Medical School of Cerrahpasa , İstanbul , Turkey.
Background:
We hypothesized that the ongoing neurotrophic effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) might be detected in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) using optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Methods:
This study was conducted using a prospective design. The RNFL thickness alterations of 18 psychiatric patients undergoing ECT were assessed using OCT. The results were compared with the RNFL thicknesses of 18 age and gender-matched healthy controls.
Results:
In the left eye, the average RNFL (p = 0.025), superior quadrant (p = 0.029), and nasal quadrant (p = 0.021) thicknesses were significantly increased after the last ECT treatment. In contrast to the right eye, the basal left-eye superior RNFL thickness (p = 0.038) and inferior quadrant (p = 0.007) thicknesses were significantly lower in the patients than in the healthy controls.
Conclusion:
Here, we have revealed a significant lateralized influence of ECT on the left-eye RNFL. However, larger case series should be conducted before interpreting our current findings.
Related Concept Videos
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers
Classification of Illness
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe...
Factors Affecting Illness
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
Classification of Skeletal Muscle Fibers
Slow-Twitch Muscle Fibers
Slow oxidative, muscle fibers appear red due to large numbers of capillaries and high levels of...
Concepts of Health and Illness

