June 2023
Volume 64, Issue 9
Open Access
ARVO Imaging in the Eye Conference Abstract  |   June 2023
Use of OCT to Quantify the Effects of Total Body Irradiation on Retinal and Choroidal Thickness
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Bhakti Panchal
    Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • He Forbes
    Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Aashka Damani
    Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Shih-En Chen
    Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Sarah Kim
    Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Eduardo Faria
    Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Sarah Triesler
    Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Lindzy Calfee
    Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Anthony Nuon
    Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Allison Gibbs
    Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Isabel Jackson
    Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
  • Osamah Saeedi
    Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships   Bhakti Panchal, None; He Forbes, None; Aashka Damani, None; Shih-En Chen, None; Sarah Kim, None; Eduardo Faria, None; Sarah Triesler, None; Lindzy Calfee, None; Anthony Nuon, None; Allison Gibbs, None; Isabel Jackson, None; Osamah Saeedi, Heidelberg Engineering, Topcon (R), Vasoptic Medical, Inc. (F)
  • Footnotes
    Support  This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under Contract No. HHSO100201500009I.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2023, Vol.64, PB0083. doi:
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      Bhakti Panchal, He Forbes, Aashka Damani, Shih-En Chen, Sarah Kim, Eduardo Faria, Sarah Triesler, Lindzy Calfee, Anthony Nuon, Allison Gibbs, Isabel Jackson, Osamah Saeedi; Use of OCT to Quantify the Effects of Total Body Irradiation on Retinal and Choroidal Thickness. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2023;64(9):PB0083.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose : The study of total body irradiation (TBI) is important, as it allows for preparation and development of medical countermeasures for exposure to radiation during long duration space missions and nuclear exposure. Little is known about the effects of TBI on the structural components of the eye. The purpose of this study was to identify acute effects of radiation on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), total retinal thickness (TRT) and choroidal thickness (CT) in an experimental model of TBI of New Zealand White (NZW) male rabbits.

Methods : At baseline, both eyes were assessed and the eye having better imaging resolution was chosen as the study eye. Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) scans were taken of the peripapillary retina for each rabbit at baseline and at days 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 after TBI at 7.25 Gy or until euthanasia criteria were met. TRT, RNFL and CT were measured using Heidelberg Spectralis (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). A consistent reference point on the OCT was used for each rabbit for the duration of the experiment to ensure the thicknesses were measured in the same locations. Two graders independently measured thickness for each scan. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests between baseline and day 10.

Results : The average RNFL thickness was 79.2 +/- 12.42 μm at baseline and was not statistically different at day 10 (75.58 +/- 5.41, p = 0.42). The average RT was 126.4 +/- 10.92 μm at baseline and decreased to 116.32 +/- 8.89 μm at day 10 (p<0.047). The average CT was 50.14 +/- 12.14 μm at baseline and significantly decreased to 40.21 +/- 10.34 μm at day 10 (p<0.001). There was no statistical difference for TRT, CT or RNFL at day 30 for the 6 surviving rabbits. The coefficient of variation between graders was 0.5%.

Conclusions : In our rabbit model of TBI within male NZW rabbits, preliminary results of retinal and choroidal thinning from baseline was observed only at day 10. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show structural changes in retinal and choroid layers post-radiation. This may improve the understanding of visual complications of radiation exposure and the ocular effects of long duration spaceflight.

This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Imaging in the Eye Conference, held in New Orleans, LA, April 21-22, 2023.

 

Figure 1A: OCT image (OS, nasal) taken at baseline showing the RNFL thickness (black), RT (white), and the CT (yellow) separated by 400 µm (red). Figure 1B: OCT image (OS, nasal) showing a decrease in RT and CT at day 10.

Figure 1A: OCT image (OS, nasal) taken at baseline showing the RNFL thickness (black), RT (white), and the CT (yellow) separated by 400 µm (red). Figure 1B: OCT image (OS, nasal) showing a decrease in RT and CT at day 10.

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