Thickness of macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract:

Objective：To investigate the change of macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer（GCIPL） thickness in the patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome（OSAS），so as to provide references to prevent ocular complications in OSAS. Methods：In this study，right eyes of 124 OSAS patients from Chongqing Emergency Medical Center and The People’s Hospital of Chongqing and 67 healthy people were enrolled. Cirrus high-definition optical coherence tomography（HD-OCT） was used to measure the average macular GCIPL thickness，the minimum macular GCIPL thickness and the GCIPL thickness of all macular areas. Results：The average macular GCIPL thickness，the minimum macular GCIPL thickness and the GCIPL thickness of all macular areas in the observation group were less than those in the control group. The average macular GCIPL thickness，the minimum macular GCIPL thickness，the superior GCIPL，the superior-nasal GCIPL，the inferior-nasal GCIPL，the inferior GCIPL，the inferior-temporal GCIPL and the super-temporal GCIPL thickness in the OSAS group were lower than those in the control group（t=3.335，P=0.001；t=2.491，P=0.014；t=2.822，P=0.005；t=2.567，P=0.011；t=3.046，P=0.003；t=3.279，P=0.001；t=3.432，P=0.001；t=3.086，P=0.002）. Conclusion：The average GCIPL thickness，the minimum GCIPL thickness and the GCIPL thickness of all macular areas in OSAS patients become thinner than those people of the control group. Before the significant syndrome，their macular GCIPL become thinner，which is similar with the early-stage open angle glaucoma macular change. Anoxia and influence on blood flow in OSAS patients may be high risk factors of losing macular retinal ganglion cells.