Analysis of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in cognitive impairment Kumar K V Praveen1,*, Gomase Sharad Nivrutti2, Chiranjeevi P3 1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Narayana Medical College, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh 2Ex-Junior Resident, Armed Forces Medical College 3Junior Resident, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Narayana Medical College, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India *Corresponding Author: Email: praveenkumarafmc@gmail.com
Online published on 24 September, 2018. Abstract Introduction Cognitive impairment may be present at birth or can occur later in adulthood. Few studies have shown correlation of cognition with retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL). The present study was planned to analyse RNFL thickness in disorders of cognition Materials and Methods 60 eyes of cognitive impairment were included. All patients underwent RNFL thickness measurement by OCT at initial visit and after 3 months. Statistical analysis was done with a p value less than 0.05 to be significant Results 60 eyes of cases of cognitive impairment were included. 16 (53%) cases had cognitive impairment following traumatic brain injury and 14 (47%) cases were secondary to Alzheimer's disease. The mean RNFL thickness in the superior quadrant was 105.92 μm ±28.343μm at initial visit and at 3 months follow up was 105.72 μm±27.916 μm, in the nasal quadrant was 69.17 μm ± 13.199μm at initial visit and at 3 months follow up was 68.97 μm± 13.119 μm, in the inferior quadrant RNFL thickness was 111.03 μm±22.558 μmat initial visit and at 3 months follow up was 110.92 μm±22.372 μm, in the temporal quadrant was 59.35 μm ±11.333 μm at initial visit and at 3 months follow up was 59.18 μm ±11.247 μm but the difference was not statistically significant. Subgroup analysis of cases also did not show any statistically significant difference in RNFL thickness Conclusion RNFL thickness remains unaffected in cognitive disorders. However studies on a large sample of patients with a longer follow up are needed. Top Keywords Cognitive impairment, RNFL thickness, Optical coherence tomography. Top |