Systemic factors affect OCT inner retinal measures in healthy eyes

Systemic diseases and pharmaceutical drug use have a significant impact on optical coherence tomography (OCT) inner retinal measures in healthy eyes, often more so than traditional factors like age, intraocular pressure, or race/ethnicity, according to a study.

In this retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of 705 participants with normal optic nerves and maculae, systemic corticosteroids and sex hormones, as well as conditions like vasomotor rhinitis, were linked to thinner peri-papillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness T and larger optic nerve cup measures. Conversely, antineoplastic agents and liver or urinary diseases were associated with thicker inner retinal layers and smaller optic nerve cup measures.

Researchers recommend that these factors be considered during OCT assessments to ensure an accurate interpretation of retinal health and differentiate between normal variations and pathological changes. The study underscores the importance of comprehensive patient history in ophthalmic evaluations to achieve precise clinical outcomes.

Reference
Trinh M, O K, La M, et al. Linking physiology and demographics, non-ocular pathology and pharmaceutical drug use to standard OCT measures of the inner retina: The PPP project. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2024;doi: 10.1111/opo.13362. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38972015.