Purpose:
To evaluate the effect of pupillary dilation on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, both eyes of 16 healthy individuals were scanned before and after pupillary dilation with 1% tropicamide by a trained operator, using Cirrus HD-OCT (Cirrus HD-OCT; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA). Each eye was imaged five times using Cirrus optic disc cube protocol (software version 3.0.0.64) before and after mydriasis. RNFL thickness measurements before and after dilation were compared.
Results:
Thirty-two eyes of 16 subjects (5 males, 11 females) were enrolled. Mean age was 30.13 +/- 9.11 years. There was no clinically significant difference in RNFL thickness measurements before and after pupil dilation. A statistically significant difference at the nasal sector was shown, but with no clinical relevance. No significant correlation between pupil change and the RNFL thickness measurements was demonstrated before and after mydriasis.
Conclusions:
Cirrus HD-OCT RNFL thickness measurements in healthy subjects were not influenced by pupil dilation.
Keywords: imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • nerve fiber layer • pupil