Evaluation of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Changes with Oral Isotretinoin Treatment

INTRODUCTION: Central nervous system toxicity is a well-known side effect of isotretinoin treatment. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of isotretinoin on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study subjects received oral isotretinoin treatment for nodulocystic acne. All patients underwent a detailed ophthalmologic examination including best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp examination, tonometry, color vision assessment, fundoscopy, and RNFL measurement. RNFL measurements by optical coherence tomography were done at onset, and were repeated at the 1st and 6th months of therapy. RESULTS: A total of 22 eyes of 11 patients (seven males and four females) were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 20.18 ± 5.13 (14–26) years. Mean RNFL thickness was 90.72 ± 9.19 (78.2–112.0) μm before treatment, 90.40 ± 9.24 (79.5–112.4) μm after 1 month of treatment, and 90.52 ± 8.92 (78.4–114.8) μm after 6 months. No statistically significant change was detected between RNFL thickness values before and after treatment. CONCLUSION: No adverse effects of systemic isotretinoin treatment on RNFL thickness were observed.