Investigation of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter, Intraocular Pressure, and Dry Eye in Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder: The Role of Childhood Trauma.

Background/

Objectives

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by emotional instability, impulsive behavior, and impaired interpersonal relationships. It is associated with a high prevalence of childhood trauma and neurobiological changes. This study aimed to compare ophthalmologic parameters, namely, optic nerve sheath diameter, intraocular pressure, and dry eye, in patients with BPD with healthy controls and to investigate the relations between these parameters and childhood trauma.

Methods

This study included 51 female patients with BPD between the ages of 18 and 35 years, who were not using psychotropic medication, and 51 healthy controls matched for age and educational level. Optic nerve sheath diameter, intraocular pressure, and tear break-up time were measured, and trauma history was evaluated using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form. Independent t-test and Pearson correlation analysis were used in statistical analyses.

Results

Patients with BPD were found to have significantly higher mean optic nerve sheath diameter scores (left: 3.94 ± 0.43, right: 3.97 ± 0.47) compared with healthy controls (left: 3.76 ± 0.44, right: 3.78 ± 0.45) (p < 0.05). The groups showed no significant difference in intraocular pressure and dry eye parameters (p > 0.05). A significant positive correlation was noted between emotional abuse scores and the optic nerve sheath diameter of the left eye in patients with BPD (p < 0.05; r = 0.364).

Conclusions

An increased optic nerve sheath diameter may be a potential peripheral biomarker reflecting chronic stress or changes in intracranial physiology in patients with BPD. This increase is particularly associated with a history of emotional abuse. Ophthalmological parameters may contribute to understanding the neurobiological basis of BPD and serve as peripheral biomarkers or indicators of neurobiological changes.