Evaluation of Lamina Cribrosa and Choroid in Nonglaucomatous Patients With Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose: To evaluate the lamina cribrosa (LC) and peripapillary choroid in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, one eye each of 32 nonglaucomatous PXS cases and 29 healthy volunteers were enrolled. The optic discs were scanned using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and measurements were obtained using HEYEX software 6.0. LC and other related variables at three areas (mid-superior, center, and mid-inferior) and peripapillary choroidal thickness were determined. Linear mixed modeling was used to adjust the variables.

Results: After adjustment for age, sex, and axial length, there was no significant difference between the two groups in peripapillary choroidal thickness or in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. The LC was significantly thinner in all three areas in the PXS group when compared with the control group, even after adjustment. Although no significant difference in central laminar depth was observed between the two groups (P = 0.74), the superior and inferior laminar depth were significantly deeper in the PXS group when compared with the control group (P = 0.04 and P = 0.006, respectively). Although there was a significant negative association between age and central choroidal thickness in the control group (β = -2.820, P = 0.02), this correlation was not significant in the PXS group.

Conclusions: We found that LC is significantly thinner in all three areas of the optic nerve head in nonglaucomatous PXS patients than in controls. Although no significant difference in peripapillary choroidal thickness was observed between the two groups, peripheral posterior displacement of LC in nonglaucomatous PXS eyes was noted.