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Visual function and inner retinal structure correlations in aquaporin-4 antibody-positive optic neuritis

  • Clinical Investigation
  • Published:
Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the correlation between visual function and thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and the macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) as measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in eyes with aquaporin-4 IgG-positive optic neuritis (AQP4-IgG-positive ON).

Study design

Prospective study.

Methods

Patients with a history of ON were categorized into 2 groups: the AQP4-IgG-positive group and the AQP4-IgG-negative group. Patients with multiple sclerosis were excluded. All patients underwent ophthalmologic examination and OCT imaging at least 6 months after the last episode of acute ON. Visual function and inner retinal structure correlations were analyzed using Pearson correlation and regression analyses.

Results

Thirty-one previous ON eyes of 17 AQP4-IgG-positive patients and 21 previous ON eyes of 15 AQP4-IgG-negative patients were registered. Visual function, especially the visual field, was better correlated with RNFL than with macular GCIPL. The best correlation between visual function and RNFL was the linear model, whereas the best correlation between visual function and GCIPL was the nonlinear model (inverse regression). Regression models revealed worse visual function in AQP4-IgG-positive ON than in AQP4-IgG-negative ON, whereas no differences in RNFL and GCIPL were found between the 2 groups.

Conclusions

RNFL measured by OCT can be a useful retinal structure for estimating and monitoring visual field loss in AQP4-IgG-positive ON patients, particularly in patients whose visual field cannot be quantitated. The correlation between visual function and the inner retinal structure of eyes with AQP4-IgG is unique and differs from that of eyes without AQP4-IgG.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr Daisy J. Gonzales for reviewing this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Naresuan University Hospital, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand

    Nattapong Mekhasingharak

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Niphon Chirapapaisan

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, Mettapracharak Hospital, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

    Poramaet Laowanapiban

  4. Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Sasitorn Siritho, Naraporn Prayoonwiwat, Chanjira Satukijchai, Jiraporn Jitprapaikulsan & Pornsawan Mekhasingharak

  5. Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

    Sasitorn Siritho

  6. Bangkok Hospital Headquarters, BDMS, Bangkok, Thailand

    Chanjira Satukijchai

Authors
  1. Nattapong Mekhasingharak
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  2. Niphon Chirapapaisan
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  3. Poramaet Laowanapiban
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  4. Sasitorn Siritho
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  7. Jiraporn Jitprapaikulsan
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  8. Pornsawan Mekhasingharak
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Consortia

Siriraj Neuroimmunology Research Group

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Niphon Chirapapaisan.

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Conflicts of interest

N. Mekhasingharak, None; N. Chirapapaisan, None; P. Laowanapiban, None; S. Siritho, Speaker fees (Biogen Idec, Menarini, Merck Serono, Novartis, Pacific Healthcare, UCB), Travel fees (Biogen Idec, Menarini, Merck Serono, Novartis, Pacific Healthcare, UCB); N. Prayoonwiwat, Speaker fees (Bayer Schering Pharma, Eisai, Novartis, Pfizer Pharmaceutical, Sanofi-Aventis), Travel fees (Bayer Schering Pharma, Eisai, Novartis, Pfizer Pharmaceutical, Sanofi-Aventis); C. Satukijchai, Travel fees (Biogen Idec, Merck Serono, Novartis, UCB); J. Jitprapaikulsan, None; P. Mekhasingharak, None.

Additional information

Corresponding author: Niphon  Chirapapaisan

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Cite this article

Mekhasingharak, N., Chirapapaisan, N., Laowanapiban, P. et al. Visual function and inner retinal structure correlations in aquaporin-4 antibody-positive optic neuritis. Jpn J Ophthalmol 62, 598–604 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-018-0607-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-018-0607-4

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