RETINAL NERVE FIBER LAYER ANALYSIS IN OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Objective: To investigate the retinal nerve fiber thickness (RNFL) in patients with Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to determine the correlation of ocular changes with the severity of disease. Material and Methods: 21 patients with Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI) between 5-29 were included in group 1 and 33 patients with RDI > 29 in group 2. Patients received RNFL measurement with optical coherence tomography (OCT). The difference between the groups and the correlation of RFNL with RDI, mean and minimum O2 saturation was evaluated. Results: The mean RNFL was 117.33±7.57 in group 1, 111.91 ±8.64 μm in group2. There was statistically significant difference (p=0.023). RNFL in inferior quadrant was 147.95 ±12.97 for group 1, 137.27±17.94 μm for group 2. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.032). Mean RNFL was correlated with RDI. Conclusion: There is a significant decreare in RFNL occur in patients with OSAS and changes show correlation with severity of disease. Awareness of relationship helps ophthalmologists to question their patients in terms of OSAS symptoms