Optical coherence tomography features and correlation of functional and structural parameters in patients of idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Purpose: To determine the correlation between functional parameters and optical coherence tomography (OCT) features in patients of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Methods: A prospective observational study in early and established cases of papilledema in IIH presenting from December 2017 to February 2019. Functional parameters (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, mean deviation, VER, and MfERG) and structural parameters (RNFL, GCL-IPL, and optic disc height) were measured at baseline and every 6 weeks for 6 months. Results: At baseline, average RNFL had a moderate negative correlation with mean deviation (r = -0.45; P = 0.0007) and a positive correlation with logMAR visual acuity (r = 0.18; P = 0.17). On the contrary, baseline GCL and logMAR visual acuity had a negative correlation (r = -0.4, P = 0.02). Optic disc height (ODH) had a negative correlation with visual field mean deviation (r = -0.046; P = 0.0005). At 6 months, ODH and GCL-IPL complex had a statistically significant correlation with functional parameters. However, RNFL values did not show any significant correlation with any of the functional parameters. Baseline GCL-IPL and optic disc height values had a moderate and significant correlation with final functional parameters. However, RNFL did not show any correlation with final functional parameters. Correlation between GCL-IPL thickness at 6 weeks and final functional parameters were stronger than that with baseline GCL values. Conclusion: In the setting of severe papilledema, RNFL can misguide the prognosis. GCL-IPL can be a valuable tool for an objective evaluation of the integrity of the optic nerve in IIH and ODH may be used as an alternative or in combination with GCL-IPL in these cases.

Automated summary

The study investigates the correlation between functional parameters and OCT features in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. The results suggest that different parameters have correlations, with GCL-IPL serving as a valuable tool for evaluating the integrity of the optic nerve.