2M.D., Wills Eye Hospital, Glaucoma Research Center, Philadelphia/ABD
3M.D. Professor, Gazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara/TURKEY
4M.D. Professor, Gazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chest Diseases, Ankara/TURKEY Purpose: To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and central corneal thickness (CCT) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
Materials and Methods: Patients presenting with snoring and daytime sleepiness who applied to Sleep Unit of Pulmonary Diseases underwent overnight polysomnography (PSG). The patients with OSAS were referred for ophthalmologic examination. 45 patients with OSAS (Group 1) and 38 normal control subjects (Group 2) were included in the study. CCT and RNFL thickness by Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph were measured besides the routine ophthalmologic examination.
Results: The right eyes of patients were included in both groups. Average RNFL thicknesses were was 96.8±8.3 (76-116) μm in OSAS group and 99.4±8.4 (99-122) μm in control group and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.03). Superior and nasal RNFL thickness in Group 1 were significantly lower than Group 2 (respectively; p=0.02, p=0.01). No significant difference was detected in CCT between groups (p=0.21). Average cup/disc ratios were 0.23±0.08 (0.2-0.7) and 0.21±0.07 (0.2-0.4) in OSAS and control groups, respectively (p=0.04). PSG parameters including the mean saturation of oxygen, lowest saturation of oxygen and AHI severity did not correlate with RNFL thickness and CCT.
Conclusion: In the current study, there was no significant correlation between clinical diagnosis of glaucoma and OSAS.
Keywords : Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, glaucoma, retinal nerve fiber layer analysis