Evaluation of Lamina Cribrosa by Using Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography in Ocular Sarcoidosis during Quiescent Phase.

SIGNIFICANCE: Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography is a useful method to allow for the evaluation of deep ocular structures, such as choroid and lamina cribrosa (LC), which are affected by ocular diseases. We hypothesized that choroidal and optic nerve inflammation in patients with ocular sarcoidosis (OS) might affect the LC structure.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate changes in the LC and anterior LC depth (ALCD) in patients with OS.

METHODS

Forty-eight eyes of 26 patients with OS who received the treatment of panuveitis and were in the quiescent phase for at least 6 months were included in the study. Thirty healthy subjects' randomly selected eyes were selected as a control group. Eyes with OS were divided into two subgroups according to the presence (OS eyes with glaucoma [OSWG], n = 23) or absence of glaucoma (OS eyes without glaucoma [OSWOG], n = 25). The LC thickness, ALCD, and peripapillary choroidal thickness were measured using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography in eyes with OS and in controls.

RESULTS

The mean LC thickness was found significantly thinner in both OSWG and OSWOG eyes compared with the healthy controls (P < .001 and P = .001, respectively). The mean ALCD was found significantly higher in OSWG eyes (462 ± 65 μm) compared with OSWOG eyes (417 ± 58 μm) and the healthy control eyes (397 ± 59 μm; P = .03 and P = .001, respectively). The average peripapillary choroidal thickness was found to be significantly thinner in OSWG eyes compared with the control eyes (P = .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study revealed that OS is associated with a thinned LC independent of the presence of glaucoma. The degenerative changes in the LC, which is the transition point of the retinal nerve fibers, may cause long-term visual dysfunction in OS. These degenerative changes should be prevented by controlling inflammation with early diagnosis and treatment in patients with OS.