Abstract
Purpose :
The ganglion cell complex consists of three retinal layers; the nerve fiber layer, the ganglion cell layer, and the inner plexiform layer which work in conjunction to protect ganglions from damage that can mediate the development of glaucoma. We performed a retrospective, observational study to analyze changes over a 3-year period in ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness in individuals with type 1 diabetes using spectral domain- optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) based on; duration of diabetes, gender, age, and body mass index.
Methods :
We analyzed thirty-seven subjects, 18 males and 19 females, affected with type 1 diabetes who had a three-year history of GCC thickness measurements using the SD-OCT (Optovue, Fremont, CA). Measurements were included if they received ≥ 44 on the signal strength index. Analysis of the overall group and the group divisions per the categories referenced above were done in the following criteria; GCC thickness OD, GCC thickness OS, GCC superior thickness OD, GCC superior thickness OS, GCC inferior thickness OD, and GCC inferior thickness OS. ANOVA repeated measures test was conducted using SPSS and Excel Stats Plus to note which tests resulted in significant differences in GCC thickness over the three-year period. The study was approved by the Rutgers University Internal Review Board (IRB) and is HIPAA complaint.
Results :
Significant decreases (p<.05) in GCC thickness over a period of three years were noted in the following subgroups with type 1 diabetes:
Overall GCC superior thickness OD, male GCC thickness OD, male GCC superior thickness OD, BMI 25.0-29.9 GCC thickness OD, BMI 25.0-29.9 GCC superior thickness OS, BMI 25.0-29.9 GCC inferior thickness OD, ages 10-20 GCC superior thickness OD, duration of diabetes 10 - 20 years GCC thickness OD, and duration of diabetes 10-20 years GCC superior thickness OD.
The slopes respective to each subgroup listed above are: -0.48, -0.86, -0.735, -0.48, -0.915, -0.43, -0.635, -1.055, and -0.99.
Conclusions :
Significant thinning of GCC was noted in subjects who were males, whose BMIs were in the subgroup, 25.0-29.9, and those who had diabetes for 10-20 years. Gender, duration of diabetes and BMI may play a role in the progressive loss of GCC.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.