Purpose To demonstrate axonal loss in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and to evaluate the ability of Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect RNFL degeneration and retinal thinning in these patients. Methods PD patients (n ¼ 100) and healthy subjects (n ¼ 100) were included in the study and underwent visual acuity, color vision, and OCT examinations using two nextgeneration Fourier-domain devices (Spectralis and Cirrus). Differences in the RNFL thicknesses were compared between patients and controls. Results RNFL thicknesses were significantly reduced in PD patients compared with healthy subjects, especially those obtained using the Spectralis OCT, in the inferotemporal quadrant (155.6 ± 16.5 lm in healthy eyes vs 142.1 ± 24.9 lm in patients, P ¼ 0.040) and in the superotemporal quadrant (142.6±20.9 lm in healthy eyes vs 132.77±18.6 lm in PD patients, P ¼ 0.046). Significant differences were observed between controls and patients in relation to mean macular thickness (P ¼ 0.031), foveal thickness (P ¼ 0.030), and inferior outer thickness (P ¼ 0.019). Conclusion PD is associated with RNFL loss and retinal thinning, which is detectable by Fourier-domain OCT measurements.

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To evaluate the thickness of the 10 retinal layers of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) using a new segmentation technology of the Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to determine whether the thickness of specific layers predicts neurodegeneration or AD severity. Methods: Patients with AD (n = 150) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 75) were analysed using the segmentation application prototype to automatically segment all retinal layers in a macular scan. Thicknesses of each layer were compared between patients with AD and controls, and between patients with disease durations of less than or at least 3 years. Associations between retinal layer thicknesses, disease duration and AD severity were evaluated. Results: Patients with AD had reduced thickness in the retinal nerve fibre, ganglion cell, inner plexiform and outer nuclear layers (p < 0.05). The inner retinal layers were more affected in patients with long disease duration. Ganglion cell and retinal nerve fibre layer thicknesses were inversely correlated with AD duration and severity. Ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers thicknesses were predictive of axonal damage. Conclusions: The segmentation application revealed ganglion cell and retinal layer atrophy in patients with AD compared with controls, especially in the inner layers of patients with long disease duration. Ganglion cell layer reduction was associated with increased axonal damage and may predict greater disease severity.

The neurodegeneration caused by PD can be detected using Fourier domain OCT. RNFL and macular thicknesses correlate with PD severity.

No abstract

No abstract

Measurements of RNFL thickness obtained with the Spectralis OCT device differentiated between healthy and AD individuals. Based on the area under the ROC curve, the LDF was a better predictor than any single parameter.

AimTo evaluate visual dysfunction and its correlation with structural changes in the retina in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).MethodsPatients with AD (n=24) and controls (n=24) underwent evaluation of visual acuity (VA), color vision (using the Farnsworth and L'Anthony desaturated (D) 15 color tests), and contrast sensitivity vision (CSV; using the Pelli-Robson chart and CSV-1000E test) to measure visual dysfunction. Structural measurements of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular thickness were obtained using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).ResultsCSV at three of the four spatial frequencies was significantly worse in AD patients than in controls. Color vision was significantly affected in AD patients based on the Farnsworth color test. Compared with controls, macular thinning was detected in all sectors except the fovea, and the RNFL exhibited significant thinning in the superior quadrant and lower average thickness (P<0.05). CSV was the functional parameter most strongly correlated with structural measurements in patients with AD. Color vision was strongly associated with macular volume (r>0.70, P<0.05). VA at different levels of contrast was associated with macular and RNFL thickness.ConclusionsPatients with AD had visual dysfunction that correlated with structural changes evaluated by SD-OCT. Macular measurements may be reliable indicators of visual impairment in AD patients.

ObjectivesTo evaluate visual dysfunction and its correlation with structural changes in the retina in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodsPatients with PD (n=37) and controls (n=37) were included in an observational cross-sectional study, and underwent visual acuity (VA), colour vision (using the Farnsworth and Lanthony desaturated D15 colour tests) and contrast sensitivity vision (CSV; using the Pelli-Robson chart and CSV 1000E test) evaluation to measure visual dysfunction. Structural measurements of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), and macular and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thicknesses, were obtained using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Comparison of obtained data, and correlation analysis between functional and structural results were performed.ResultsVA (in all different contrast levels) and all CSV spatial frequencies were significantly worse in patients with PD than in controls. Colour vision was significantly affected based on the Lanthony colour test. Significant GCL loss was observed in the minimum GCL+inner plexiform layer. A clear tendency towards a reduction in several macular sectors (central, outer inferior, outer temporal and superior (inner and outer)) and in the temporal quadrant of the RNFL thickness was observed, although the difference was not significant. CSV was the functional parameter most strongly correlated with structural measurements in PD. Colour vision was associated with most GCL measurements. Macular thickness was strongly correlated with macular volume and functional parameters (r>0.70, p<0.05).ConclusionsPatients with PD had visual dysfunction that correlated with structural changes evaluated by SD-OCT. GCL measurements may be reliable indicators of visual impairment in patients with PD.