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Longitudinal Changes in the Retinal Microstructures of Eyes With Chiasmal Compression
Ga-In Lee1, Ki Young Son1, Kyung-Ah Park2
1From the Department of Ophthalmology (G.-I.L., K.Y.S., K.-A.P., S.Y.O.) and Department of Neurosurgery, Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery Clinic, Brain Tumor Center (D.-S.K.), Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Decompression surgery for chiasmal compression led to persistent thinning in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and inner plexiform layer (IPL). Preoperative inner retinal thickness predicted better visual field recovery post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Chiasmal compression can lead to visual field defects due to pressure on the optic chiasm.
- Understanding the long-term effects of decompression surgery on retinal microstructure is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the 1-year longitudinal changes in retinal microstructure after decompression surgery for chiasmal compression.
- To determine if preoperative retinal layer thickness correlates with postoperative visual field recovery.
Main Methods:
- Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used to analyze retinal layer thickness in 87 eyes with chiasmal compression and 100 healthy controls.
- Linear mixed-effects models were employed to assess longitudinal changes over 1 year.
- Specific retinal layers analyzed included the macular retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and inner plexiform layer (IPL).
Main Results:
- Significant thinning was observed in the RNFL (1.068 μm/y), GCL (1.189 μm/y), and IPL (1.177 μm/y) 1 year after decompression surgery.
- Preoperative RNFL, GCL, and IPL thickness were associated with improved postoperative visual field recovery (ORs ranging from 1.133 to 1.221).
Conclusions:
- Retinal microstructure changes, including thinning of inner retinal layers, persist and progress after chiasmal decompression surgery.
- Preoperative inner retinal layer thickness is a significant predictor of visual field recovery following surgery.
- These findings offer insights into the anatomical and biological consequences of chiasmal compression and its surgical treatment.
