Evaluation of the retinal nerve fiber layer and choroidal thickness with optical coherence tomography in patients with psoriasis

To evaluate the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), central retinal thickness (CRT), and choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with psoriasis.

The study included 43 patients diagnosed with psoriasis not receiving systemic treatment and 41 healthy volunteers. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography was used for retinal and choroidal thickness measurements. The mean RNFL, quadrant RNFL (superior, inferior, nasal, temporal), and CRT values were recorded. The choroidal thickness measurements were taken from the subfoveal area, towards the temporal and nasal directions from the fovea at distances of 500, 1000, and 1500 µm.

The RNFL was determined to be thinner in the superior quadrant (p=0.025), and the CT was thicker at all the measurement points (p < 0.05) in the patients with psoriasis. The CRT values were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). No correlation was determined between the parameters measured and disease duration or severity.

Thinning of the RNFL and increased CT may be a sign of choroidal microvascular changes and ganglion cell damage due to psoriasis.