Early macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer analysis in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

Purpose To investigate the potential usefulness of early macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) measurement for detecting retinal ganglion cell damage in eyes with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Methods Thirteen patients with NAION were examined within 1 month of visual disturbance onset and underwent spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) measurement of the mGCIPL and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL). Complete ophthalmologic evaluations, including visual acuity and visual field (VF) test, were performed. The time to minimum and average mGCIPL and pRNFL thinning were investigated. The correlation between the area of mGCIPL thinning and the affected VF area was also analyzed. Results Thirteen eyes of 13 patients with NAION were included. The length of time from visual disturbance onset to minimum and average mGCIPL thinning was 32.5 +/- 12.1 days and 46.1 +/- 23.2 days, respectively, and the time to pRNFL thinning was 79.2 +/- 19.7 days. There was a significant regional correlation between the area of mGCIPL loss and that of the VF defect in the early phase (r = 0.610; p = 0.027). However, the area of mGCIPL thinning in the late phase did not correlate with that of late VF defects. Conclusions In the early phase, mGCIPL thinning was observed, and the area of mGCIPL thinning correlated with that of the VF defect in eyes with NAION. Therefore, early retinal ganglion cell damage and dysfunction may be detected in NAION by measurement of mGCIPL using SD-OCT.