Effect of peripapillary atrophy on parameters of the optic nerve head, the peripapillary region and the macula in eyes with myopia.

BACKGROUND

To examine the impact of peripapillary atrophy (PPA) on retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCL-IPL), and Bruch's membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) in non-glaucomatous myopic eyes.

METHODS

Patients with myopic refractive errors greater than -4.00 dioptres and with normal intraocular pressure (10-21 mmHg) were included in the study. Eyes without PPA were included in group 1, and those with PPA in group 2. RNFL (3.5, 4.1, 4.7 mm) and BMO-MRW were measured with Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany); GCL-IPL with Cirrus HD-OCT 5000 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA).

RESULTS

There were 50 eyes in group 1 and 77 eyes in group 2. Mean age, refractive error, axial length, disc area, rim area, cup-to-disc ratio, mean RNFL and GCL-IPL (mean and minimum) were similar in both groups (p > 0.05 for all). Mean nasal RNFL thickness measured with Cirrus HD-OCT and mean nasal RNFL thicknesses at 3.5 mm and 4.1 mm measured with Spectralis OCT were significantly lower in group 2 (p < 0.05 for all). Nasal RNFL thickness at 4.7 mm and RNFL thicknesses in the other regions at different diameters (3.5 mm, 4.1 mm and 4.7 mm) and BMO-MRW in all regions were similar in both groups (p > 0.05 for all).

DISCUSSION: RNFL thickness at 4.7 mm, BMO-MRW, and GCL-IPL did not significantly differ with PPA. These stable measurements may assist in diagnosing and monitoring glaucoma in myopic eyes with PPA.