Effect of oral isotretinoin on the thickness of retinal layers

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze detailed changes in retinal layers thickness with spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in isotretinoin users. Methods: This study included two groups as 40 patients who were using at least 1-year oral isotretinoin for nodulocystic acne and 40 healthy volunteers. Care was taken to ensure that the two groups were homologous in age and sex (14 male and 26 female). The right eyes of subjects examined in this study. All patients underwent complete ophthalmologic examination. SD-OCT(spectral-domain optical coherence tomography) images were developed from Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany)and it is capable of using a new algorithm that could measure retinal layers around the macula. These measurements include; retinal pigment epithelium layer (RPE), outer plexiform layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), inner nuclear layer (INL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), retinal nerve fi ber layer (RNFL), total retinal thickness (Retina). Results: The mean age was 22.35±1.97 years in isotretinoin users and 21.33±2.20 years in the control group. The average time of isotretinoin medication was 12.78 ± 1.00 months (12-16 months). We found no statistically signifi cant difference with respect to the retinal layer and total retinal thickness at 1mm, 3mm, and 6 mm rings between the isotretinoin user and control groups Conclusion: Isotretinoin has no undesirable effect on the thickness of retinal segments. © 2020 Gazi Eye Foundation. All rights reserved.