Use of En Face Optical Coherence Tomography to Monitor Papilledema in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Pilot...

En face optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses the data acquired during OCT of the optic disc, which typically is used to determine measurements of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (ppRNFL), to generate a coronal composite fundus image rather than a cross-sectional image. En face OCT has been reported to identify retinal changes related to papilledema in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) but has not been evaluated for monitoring papilledema. This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of en face OCT for monitoring papilledema.

Using the Pearson correlation coefficient (R), these measurements were compared with ppRNFL thickness as well as average diameter and estimated area. Four fellowship-trained neuro-ophthalmologists were asked to qualitatively rank en face images by the area of optic disc edema while masked from all other clinical data. Rankings were compared with ppRNFL thickness as a gold standard and with en face OCT characteristics using the Pearson correlation coefficient (R).

Experts were able to correctly identify an increase in average ppRNFL thickness >10 µm with a mean (SD) of 91% (±7%) accuracy. A ranking error among experts corresponded to a mean (standard error) change in the ppRNFL thickness of 6 (±6) µm. The mean Pearson correlation coefficient by the area of disc edema among experts was 0.92 (±0.13).

Multiple objective parameters of en face OCT of optic disc edema have an excellent correlation with ppRNFL thickness. These results suggest that en face OCT is a valid clinical tool for monitoring papilledema in IIH.