Evaluation of the Relationships between Obesity and Central Retinal Thickness, Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer, Intraocular Pressure, and Central Corneal Thickness in Children

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of childhood obesity on the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), retinal thickness, central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure. Method: Children with obesity (n:24) (Group 1; n:48 eyes) and healthy children (n:23) (Group 2; n:46 eyes) were included in the study. Average RNFL thickness, central 1 mm diameter of foveal thickness (CFT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were measured using the fourier domain - optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT). Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured using contact ultrasonic pachymetry and intraocular pressure (IOP) using Goldmann applanation tonometry. Results: The mean IOP in Group 1 was found to be significantly higher (p=0.002) and 16.1 ± 3.1 mmHg in group 1 and 13.6 ± 3.2 mmHg in group 2, respectively. Mean RNFL, CFT and SFCT significantly were lower in group 1 (p < 0.05) than group 2. The average RNFL was detected to 107.9 ± 10.5 µm in group 1 and 112.6±11.8 µm in group 2, respectively (p=0.001). Mean CFT was found to be 231.6±14.4 µm in group 1 and 245.9±19.98 µm in group 2, respectively (p=0.001). The average SFCT was observed to 193.3±15.3 µm in group 1 and 221 ± 25.1 µm in group 2, respectively (p<0.001). Although CCT was relatively higher in group 1, no statistically significant difference was observed among the groups (p=0.08). There was a positive correlation between the presence of obesity and mean IOP measurements (r = 0.847, p = 0.011), and besides a negative correlation was detected between mean RNFL thickness and mean weight of the patients (r = -0.749, p = 0.039). Conclusion: In current study, it should be kept in mind that elevated IOP and decrement of RNFL thickness in children with obesity increased the risk of developing glaucoma, as well as decreased CFT and SFCT may form the basis for the development of macular diseases in future.