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Microstructural Changes in Intraretinal Layers and Macular Structures of People with Epilepsy Measured Using Optical
Merve Melodi Çakar1,2, Leyla Baysal1,3, Rüveyde Garip4
1Trakya University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Edirne, Turkey.
Noro Psikiyatri Arsivi
|September 11, 2024
Summary
Epilepsy patients show retinal thinning and reduced macular volume compared to healthy individuals. Factors like frequent seizures and polytherapy worsen these neurodegenerative changes in the visual system.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder impacting brain networks.
- Brain microstructural changes in epilepsy can lead to secondary alterations in retinal morphology.
- Spectral optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a valuable tool for assessing retinal structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of epilepsy on intraretinal layers and macular structures using spectral-domain OCT.
- To compare retinal layer thickness and macular volume in individuals with epilepsy versus healthy controls.
- To explore correlations between epilepsy characteristics (seizure frequency, duration, therapy) and retinal changes.
Main Methods:
- Spectral-domain OCT imaging of the retina in 52 epilepsy patients and 40 healthy controls.
- Quantitative assessment of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer (GCC-IPL) thickness, central macular thickness, and macular volume.
- Statistical analysis to compare measurements between groups and identify influencing factors.
Main Results:
- Individuals with epilepsy exhibited significantly thinner GCC-IPL (superior and superior-nasal quadrants) and reduced macular thickness and volume compared to controls.
- Thinner GCC-IPL was associated with frequent seizures (>5/year), polytherapy, and longer epilepsy duration (≥10 years).
- No significant associations were found between OCT measurements and age, sex, or epilepsy type (focal vs. generalized).
Conclusions:
- Epilepsy is associated with significant microstructural alterations in retinal layers, particularly in the superior and inferior quadrants.
- Progressive neurodegeneration in the afferent visual system may be linked to seizure frequency, polytherapy, and epilepsy duration.
- OCT can detect subtle retinal changes in epilepsy, potentially serving as a biomarker for disease progression and neurological impact.
