Objective measure identified for visual function in patients with retinitis pigmentosa

Optical coherence tomography reflectivity ratio could serve as an independent predictor of visual acuity and, consequently, retinal function in genetically diagnosed patients with retinitis pigmentosa, according to a study that suggests this objective measurement may help in the context of patient selection for therapeutic trials.

The study, which retrospectively analyzed data from 97 genetically diagnosed RP patients, focused on 3 key parameters: the reflectivity ratio (RR) of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) to that of the entire retina, visual acuity (VA), and the thickness of the retinal outer nuclear layer (ONL) and the RNFL.

The results found a strong positive correlation between the RR and VA, suggesting that the reflectivity ratio could be a crucial indicator of visual acuity in RP patients. Both VA and RR were negatively correlated with disease duration, emphasizing the impact of timely intervention. Although VA was negatively correlated with age, the RR remained unaffected, highlighting its potential as a stable measure over time.

Further analysis demonstrated that the RR correlated significantly with the ONL thickness but not with RNFL thickness or intraocular pressure. Age, RR, disease duration, and ONL thickness emerged as independent predictors of VA, offering a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing visual function in RP patients.

Reference
Paez-Escamilla M, Alabek ML, Beale O, et al. An Optical Coherence Tomography-Based Measure as an Independent Estimate of Retinal Function in Retinitis Pigmentosa. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023;13(23):3521. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13233521. PMID: 38066762.