Evaluation of the ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer in children with optic neuritis

Aim of the study
To assess the influence of optic neuritis in children on the thickness of the ganglion cell layer and the inner plexiform layer in six individual segments of the central retina in optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination of the retina and the optic nerve.

Material and methods
The study group consisted of 34 eyes of 26 children hospitalized at the Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology of the University Clinical Center of Prof. K. Gibiński in Katowice due to unilateral or bilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis. The comparative group consisted of 40 eyes of 22 children hospitalized for impairments other than of the visual pathway. Each child had the best distance corrected visual acuity (V) and intraocular pressure (IOP) checked, assessment of the anterior and posterior segment of the eyeball in a biomicroscope before and after pupil dilation, OCT of the macula and optic nerve disc, and ocular biometry. In the study group, all examinations, including OCT, were repeated after 6 months.

Results
There was a statistically significant reduction in the mean GCL + IPL thickness and GCL + IPL thickness in the following segments: superior temporal, superior nasal, inferior temporal and inferior nasal measured after recovery, compared to the measurements performed during optic neuritis. Similar results were recorded for the average RNFL thickness.

Conclusions
After optic neuritis in children, the thickness of the GCL+ IPL is reduced only in some segments of the central retina in the OCT. The greatest decrease occurs in the upper and lower nasal segments. Research on a larger group of patients is necessary.