OCT assessment of morphological changes of the optic nerve head and macula in idiopathic intracranial hypertension

ObjectiveTo assess the morphologic changes of the optic nerve head and macula in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) with optical coherence tomography (OCT).MethodsData was extracted from the medical records and Stratus OCT images of IIH patients.ResultsNinety-one eyes of 48 IIH patients were divided into 3 groups according to their clinical optic disc appearance. Average retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was statistically different between the groups: normal optic disc/mild elevation group (N = 20) – 89 μm (95% CI, 80–98 μm), mild elevation group (N = 51) – 109 μm (95% CI, 101–117 μm), and papilledema group (N = 20) 124 μm (95% CI, 100–153 μm) (P = 0.004). Fast macular thickness map did not demonstrate a significant difference between the groups for most measured macular areas (N = 49 eyes).ConclusionsPeripapillary RNFL measurements correlated with the clinical appearance of the optic discs, suggesting that OCT may assist in the follow up of IIH patients.

► We assess optic nerve head and macular changes of IIH patients with OCT imaging.
► OCT discriminate between different degrees of optic nerve head swelling.
► OCT may assist in evaluating the optic nerve head of IIH patients.