To evaluate central macula and peripapillary choroidal thickness (CT) and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness among patients with acute unilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis.

In this cross-sectional study, 18 patients with acute retrobulbar optic neuritis were examined. The CT was measured using the enhanced depth imaging program of Heidelberg Spectralis optical coherence tomography (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). Macular CT was measured at 500µm intervals of a horizontal section from 1500µm temporal to 1500µm nasal to the fovea. The GCL thickness map was obtained using the Spectralis volume protocol with 19 lines on the 30° field centered on the macula. Mean thickness values of GCL at macula were measured in all the subfields in the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study map. Peripapillary CT and GCL was measured in four points of 3.4-mm-diameter peripapillary circle scans (superior, inferior, temporal, and nasal). The CT and GCL of the affected eyes and unaffected eyes were analyzed.

The mean age of 18 patients (13 females) was 27.3 years. The mean subfoveal CT of the affected and unaffected fellow eyes were 419.16±120.15 and 408.08±119.04µm, respectively (P=0.54). CT of other points at macula were higher in affected eyes than unaffected eyes, although was not significant statically. The mean GCL thickness at center fovea of the affected eyes were higher than unaffected fellow eyes, 15.1±5.2µm and 12.5±4µm, respectively (P=0.30). Peripapillary CT were higher at affected eyes, but not significant statically. Peripapillary GCL thickness at superior was significantly higher in affected eyes (P=0.48).

Increased macular CT in patients with acute unilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis was noted not only in the affected eyes, but also in the unaffected fellow eyes.