In the era of OCT, is detection of early papilledema using Frisen scale grading valid? A study to evaluate the role of spectral domain-OCT in papilloedema among the population of hilly areas of Northern India

Abstract

Context: Papilloedema is defined as optic disc oedema secondary to raised intracranial pressure (ICP). Grading the degree of oedema using only subjective, examiner-dependent and non-quantitative fundoscopic classification like Modified Friesen Clinical Scale (MFS), may be subject to errors even when used by experienced examiners. The use of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), a non-invasive imaging technique, for early identification of raised ICP even before the clinical appearance of papilloedema by quantifying the thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (ppRNFL) is crucial for such patients. Aims: To evaluate the ppRNFL using SD-OCT in patients with papilloedema. Settings and Design: Hilly North Indian population, Prospective case-control study. Methods and Material: From January 2018 to December 2018, a total of 45 patients diagnosed with papilloedema were included. Age and sex-matched controls were recruited. Detailed demographic information and the history of study subjects were noted. All subjects underwent systemic and detailed ophthalmic examination. Disc photographs were graded as per Modified Frisen Criteria (MFS). SD-OCT of the optic nerve head was done to provide a mean peripapillary RNFL thickness parameters in the different quadrants of the disc in each eye. Statistical Analysis Used: For analysis, statistical software SPSS version 23 and appropriate statistical tests were applied. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The median age of presentation was 36 years (Range 10–68 years). The male to female ratio was 1:1.3. The mean ppRNFL thickness of both right and left disc in all quadrants was significantly higher in cases in comparison to controls (P-value < 0.05 is significant). The average ppRNFL thickness in all the quadrants of both eyes was significantly higher in the mild grade of papilloedema in comparison to controls (P-value < 0.05 is significant). Conclusions: SD-OCT can be ordered as a routine important non-invasive investigation in addition to basic fundoscopic examination in all patients with papilloedema or suspected to have papilloedema.

Keywords

• frisen scale
• optical coherence tomography
• papilloedema
• peripapillary rnfl