Retinal nerve fiber layer in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni patients: Analysis using optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Purposes: To evaluate the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with the hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni using optical coherence tomography . Methods: It was performed a observational, analytic, cross-sectional study. The group of patients enrolled 24 individuals (13 females and 11 males), aged from 27 to 73 years (55.7±11.6 years). In the control group were included 22 subjects (12 females and 10 males) aged from 31 to 77 years (55.4±16.5 years). Of the 92 eyes evaluated, three were excluded because they have opaque media, which made impossible to perform the test. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination and measurement of the retinal nerve fiber layer using optical coherence tomography. Results: The mean thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer was 98.1±15.2μm in the studied group and 114.2±10.0 μm in the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: There was a significant decrease in the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in all quadrants in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.