Ocular Microstructural Alterations in Children With Spina Bifida: An Optical Coherence Tomography Study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Ophthalmology
• Neuro-ophthalmology

Background:

• Spina bifida is a complex congenital condition impacting neurological development.
• Ocular complications in spina bifida are not fully understood.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows detailed imaging of retinal and optic nerve head structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate microstructural differences in the retina, choroid, and optic nerve head in children with spina bifida compared to healthy controls.
• To utilize optical coherence tomography (OCT) for detailed ocular tissue analysis.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study included 38 children with spina bifida and 32 controls, matched for age and sex.
• Comprehensive ophthalmological examinations were performed.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to image the macula, choroid, and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer.

Main Results:

• Children with spina bifida had significantly shorter axial lengths and higher prevalence of hyperopia.
• While central macular thickness was similar, significant retinal layer differences were observed: thicker outer nuclear layer and thinner inner nuclear and outer plexiform layers.
• Subfoveal and nasal choroidal thickness were greater in the spina bifida group, but this difference diminished when controlling for axial length.

Conclusions:

• Children with spina bifida exhibit retinal and choroidal alterations detectable by OCT.
• Retinal changes may suggest impaired macular development associated with spina bifida.
• Choroidal thickness variations appear related to axial length differences in this population.