Evaluation of ganglion cell complex and retinal nerve fiber layer thinning in epilepsy patients

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the perimacular ganglion cell complex (GCC) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements of epileptic and healthy individuals. METHODS: The right eyes of 38 epileptic and 38 healthy individuals who had been using antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for at least 1 year were included in the study. Central macular thickness, perimacular GCC thickness and volume, and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layers were measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) device. Perimacular 1, 3, and 6 mm circle diameters of Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) were selected for GCC measurements. RESULTS: In epilepsy patients, GCC was significantly lower in the 3 mm superior quadrant and 6 mm in all quadrants compared to the control group (P < 0.05). RNFL was significantly thinner in epilepsy patients only in the temporal-inferior quadrant (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the patients who received AEDs as monotherapy and polytherapy (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: We found that epilepsy patients had significant thinning in the GCC layers and temporal-inferior quadrant of RNFL compared to the control group. Our findings from the study show that early retinal changes in epilepsy patients, especially perimacular GCC layers, can be followed up with OCT.