Assessment of ganglion cell complex, macular thickness, and optic disc parameters in keratoconus patients

PURPOSE: Keratoconus (KC) is bilateral noninflammatory corneal disorder characterized by progressive corneal thinning, protrusion, and scarring. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ganglion cell complex(GCC), macula thickness(MT) and optic head disc parameters in keratoconus patients. METHODS: A hospital based prospective clinical case series was performed in Inonu University School of Medicine. 52 eyes of 52 keratoconus patients and 50 eyes of 50 normal patients were enrolled. RESULTS: There is no statistically significant in MT between groups. GCC in nasal superior, temporal superior and temporal inferior 9 mm from macula were found statistically significant decrease in keratoconus group (p<0,05). In optic disc analysis fifth and the eleventh clock-hour quadrants of peripapiller retina nerve fiber layer and cup area ratio were found statistically significant decrease in keratoconic eyes (p<0,05). CONCLUSION: We thought that structural retinal changes seem in keratoconus eyes; keratoconus pathogenesis may affect not only cornea but also retina and optic nerve head.