Subfoveal choroidal thickness and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in young obese males

Abstract

Objective: Regarding the effect of obesity on subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, controversial results have been reported in different patient groups. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of obesity on these parameters among young male subjects in comparison with age-matched non-obese healthy males. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study included both eyes of 50 obese young males and 50 healthy non-obese young males. The obese and the non-obese groups included subjects with a BMI of ⩾30 and ⩽25 kg/m², respectively. Subfoveal choroidal thickness and RNFL analyses were conducted by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Results: Subfoveal choroidal thickness (321.0 ± 46.7 vs 338.4±35.3, p = 0.002) and RNFL thickness at temporal quadrant (73.4 ± 9.9 vs 76.4 ± 9.3, p = 0.008) was significantly lower in the obese group when compared to the non-obese group. The groups did not differ regarding peripapillary RNFL thickness at other quadrants (superior, inferior, or nasal) or regarding mean peripapillary RNFL thickness. Conclusion: Findings of this study demonstrated a negative correlation of obesity with subfoveal choroidal thickness and temporal quadrant peripapillary RNFL thickness. Larger studies on different patient groups with longer-term follow-up are warranted to better elucidate the ophthalmological effects of obesity.

Spectral-domain OCT measurements in obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Five of the corresponding authors replied to our emails, 4 of them about association between BMI and OCT measurements and 1 on the unavailability of full-text. Finally, only 1 responded positively, (Uslu Dugan et al) and provided us with the full-text of their study [ 25 ].…”

“…Of the 19 included studies in this meta-analysis, 5 measured macular thickness [ 9 , 20 , 26 – 28 ], 3 measured GC-IPL layer thickness [ 10 , 29 , 30 ], 5 measured RNFL thickness [ 12 , 27 , 28 , 31 , 32 ], and 7 studies measured peripapillary RNFL thickness [ 10 , 11 , 13 , 25 , 26 , 29 , 30 ], 5 measured cup to disc ratio [ 26 – 28 , 30 , 31 ], and 12 measured choroidal thickness [ 9 , 14 , 20 , 25 – 28 , 32 – 36 ]. All the studies reported their data as mean (SD), except one that reported some of the measurements in median (min-max) [ 26 ].…”

“…Nine studies matched the obesity and control groups in terms of age [ 9 , 11 , 27 – 30 , 32 , 34 , 35 ], and 8 others matched their sex [ 9 , 27 – 30 , 32 , 34 , 35 ]. Nine studies analyzed a single eye of the subjects [ 9 , 14 , 20 , 28 – 30 , 32 – 34 ], 6 investigated both eyes [ 10 , 12 , 13 , 25 , 26 , 35 ], 2 studies used a mixed approach (both single eyes and both eyes) [ 11 , 31 ], and 2 others did not state it clearly [ 27 , 36 ]. Nine utilized Zeiss Cirrus HD [ 9 , 10 , 13 , 26 – 31 ], 8 studies used Heidelberg spectralis [ 11 , 12 , 20 , 32 – 36 ], and 2 other studies benefited from other OCT models, including Topcon 3D-OCT [ 25 ] and Nidek RS-3000 [ 14 ], each in one study.…”

“…Nine studies analyzed a single eye of the subjects [ 9 , 14 , 20 , 28 – 30 , 32 – 34 ], 6 investigated both eyes [ 10 , 12 , 13 , 25 , 26 , 35 ], 2 studies used a mixed approach (both single eyes and both eyes) [ 11 , 31 ], and 2 others did not state it clearly [ 27 , 36 ]. Nine utilized Zeiss Cirrus HD [ 9 , 10 , 13 , 26 – 31 ], 8 studies used Heidelberg spectralis [ 11 , 12 , 20 , 32 – 36 ], and 2 other studies benefited from other OCT models, including Topcon 3D-OCT [ 25 ] and Nidek RS-3000 [ 14 ], each in one study. 16 studies were from Turkey, and the remaining 3 originated from Portugal, Spain, and Thailand.…”

Effect of Obesity on Retinal Integrity in African Americans and Caucasian Americans With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

“…Graham et al reported significant thinning affecting the T quadrant in the non-ON eyes and also demonstrated that the T quadrant is a very specific marker for detecting changes over time ( 6 ). In another study on healthy young obese males, Dogan et al demonstrated a negative association between BMI and T quadrant pRNFL thickness ( 33 ). Our findings support previous observations that the T quadrant is affected more than other pRNFL quadrants in our cohort of RRMS.…”