Changes in Optical Coherence Tomography Parameters in Patients with Unilateral Carotid Artery Stenosis

Abstract

Objective: The retina layer belongs to the end-stream region of the internal carotid artery, and thus various ophthalmic symptoms can present in patients with carotid artery stenosis. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), central macular thickness (CMT), retinal ganglion cell layer (RGCL), and choroidal thickness (CT) in patients who had unilateral (symptomatic or asymptomatic) carotid artery stenosis (CAS) using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Materials and Methods: In this prospective observational study, patients with confirmed unilateral CAS (symptomatic or asymptomatic) in computed tomography angiography were recruited. RNFLT, CMT, and RGCL were compared using spectral domain-OCT. CT was analyzed using enhanced depth imaging- OCT. Results: A total of 28 patients with unilateral CAS (17 asymptomatic, 11 symptomatic) were recruited. There were no significant differences between the eye on the stenotic side and the fellow eye according to RNFLT, CMT, RGCL, and CT in the asymptomatic group (p=0.986, p=0.945, p=0.569, and p=0.796, respectively). Similarly, in the symptomatic group, no significant differences were found between the eye on the stenotic side and the fellow eye according to the same parameters (p=0.693, p=0.409, p=0.792, and p=0.597, respectively). When comparing the eyes on the stenotic sides in both groups, no significant differences were found (p=0.838, p=0.937, p=0.830, and p=0.539 respectively). Conclusion: The decrease in retinal artery blood flow did not lead to morphological or functional changes of the retina in symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid artery disease.

Keywords

• carotid artery stenosis
• oct
• retinal nerve fiber layer thickness
• stroke
• rnfl