The cup/disc ratio, retinal nerve layer, and macular thickness in children with B-thalassemia major

Purpose
We aimed to measure cup/disc ratio (C/D), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (P-RNFL) thickness, and central macular thickness (CMT) in children with thalassemia major and healthy children as a control group.
Patients and methods
A total of 25 children with thalassemia major were selected from the pediatric outpatient clinics and were compared with 25 apparent healthy children serving as a control group. Complete eye examination was conducted, and intraocular pressure measurements were obtained; after that optical coherence tomography with the NIDEK RS-3000 retinal scan was performed to obtain C/D ratio, P-RNFL, and CMT.
Results
CMT (total, superior, and inferior) and P-RNFL (total, superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal) were thinner in children with thalassemia, with value= 0.000. C/D ratios (vertical and horizontal) were larger in children with thalassemia compared with their healthy controls (=0.000). Negative correlations of the serum ferritin level with CMT (superior and inferior) and P-RNFL in all quadrants of the left eye. A positive correlation of the serum ferritin level with C/D (horizontal and vertical) of the left eye was found.
Conclusion
Children with thalassemia major have thinner P-RNFL in all quadrants and CMT and large C/D ratio.