Chronic chiasmal compression and persistent visual field defect without detectable changes in optical coherence tomography of the macular ganglion cell complex

PURPOSE: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) are important in the ophthalmological evaluation of patients with sellar masses. Changes in OCT of the RNFL and macular GCC often precede visual field changes in patients with chronic chiasmal compression. OCT of the macular GCC has been shown to have better correlation with visual function and allow for even earlier detection of compression of the anterior visual pathways. We present a case of a chronic visual field defect from a pituitary adenoma with largely normal OCT parameters and only subtle changes in OCT of the RNFL and no perceptible changes in OCT of the macular GCC. OBSERVATIONS: A 32-year-old man presented with a four-month history of decreased vision in his left eye and was found to have a monocular temporal visual field defect from a pituitary adenoma. OCT of the RNFL showed only a subtle change in that the nasal quadrant was mildly reduced and the optic nerve did not follow the ISNT rule. There was no asymmetry, deviation from normal parameters or differences in the nasal and temporal sextants on OCT of the macular GCC. This remained stable after testing two months later and a worsening visual field defect. He was found to have an elevated prolactinoma and after initiation of cabergoline, his visual field defect rapidly resolved within a few days. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: OCT RNFL and macular GCC may have parameters in the normal range in patients with chronic chiasmal compression, emphasizing the importance of both anatomical and psychophysical testing. OCT of the RNFL may show these changes earlier than OCT macular GCC and both should be performed for the pre-treatment evaluation of patients with sellar masses. Preserved RNFL and macular GCC thickness confer a good prognosis as demonstrated in this case with rapid resolution of visual changes after medical treatment.