To compare macular and optic nerve head optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements in mild to moderate papilledema and pseudopapilledema.

: Macular scans with macular ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and macular RNFL (retinal nerve fiber layer) segmentation were performed, divided into 2 regions (inner and outer, with a diameter of 3 and 6 mm, respectively) and 8 sectors (4 each sectors in the inner and outer regions) in addition to Bruch’s membrane opening (BMO) area and peripapillary RNFL thickness in three groups of subjects.

119 eyes of 61 subjects with mild to moderate papilledema, 88 eyes of 48 subjects with pseudopapilledema, and 60 eyes of 60 healthy normal subjects were enrolled in this cross section study. BMO area was similar in papilledema (1.83±0.34 mm²), pseudopapilledema (1.85±0.37 mm²), and controls (1.85±0.32 mm²). Average inner region macular GCIPL thickness in the papilledema, pseudopapilledema, and control groups was 87.2±14.4 µm, 90.8±6.1 µm and 91.2±9.8 µm, respectively (P>0.05). Outer temporal region macular GCIPL was significantly thinner in the papilledema group compared to control group (P=0.01). In contrast, outer inferior and outer nasal macular RNFL sectors were significantly thicker in the papilledema group compared to control groups (P= 0.01 and P<00.1, respectively). Those measures were not different between pseuodopapilledema and control eyes.

In papilledema eyes, outer temporal region macular GCIPL thickness decreased and outer inferior and outer nasal macular RNFL sectors thickness increased compared to the control group. These changes were not observed in pseudopapilledema group.