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September 23, 2019
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OCT may indicate neurological changes in patients with frequent head trauma

The use of OCT could determine retinal biomarkers of neuropathological change after neurological trauma, according to findings published in Eye and Brain.

Perspective from Brad Sutton, OD, FAAO

Charmaine Childs , PhD, MPhil, B Nurs, and colleagues investigated retinal structures in Olympic boxers who were exposed to frequent head blows.

“Studies have shown thinning of the [retinal nerve fiber layer] in multiple sclerosis, a degenerative brain condition causing white matter atrophy. Similarly, RNFL and total macular volumes are thinner in Alzheimer’s disease and in Parkinson’s disease when comparisons are made with normal ranges, the changes correlating with disease severity,” Childs, a professor of clinical science at the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing at Sheffield Hallam University in England, and colleagues wrote. “Alterations to the retinal vasculature have also been reported after mild traumatic brain injury.”

The researchers measured data from two eye screenings of the boxers for macular and RNFL thickness over time. The data was compared with a control group of 20 sedentary, healthy adults (mean age 30.5 years, eight men) without a history of concussion.

Childs and colleagues examined 16 boxers (mean age 24.5 years, 12 men) in the cohort.

In a period of 18 months, significant macular thickening was identified in 75% of right eye sectors and 50% of left eye sectors, the researchers wrote. When examining RNFL, the left eye quadrant thickened compared with thickening and thinning of the right eye quadrant.

In the boxer cohort, there were thinner macular sectors and RNFL quadrants compared with the control group, Childs and colleagues wrote. – by Earl Holland Jr.


Disclosure: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.