Retinal peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness in a 13-year-old boy with neuromyelitis optica.

PURPOSE: To report changes in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in a patient with neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

METHODS

A 13-year-old Caucasian boy presented with reduced visual acuity in both eyes, headache, and neck pain associated with left hand burning sensation. Clinical and laboratory examination, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), were performed.

RESULTS

MRI showed spinal cord abnormality and acute myelitis, but normal optic nerve head. A significant reduction of the average and temporal area RNFL thickness was recorded in both eyes by OCT. Six months after initial steroid treatment, visual acuity and visual field slightly improved, but RNFL thickness was further reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

RNFL thickness measurement with OCT should be performed not only in adults, but also in young patients in case of suspected NMO to confirm the diagnosis and to monitor the disease.