Differences in elastometry of cornea and optic nerve head in both eyes of patients with NAION
Reviewed by Claire Howard

Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is an important cause of visual loss in the middle aged and elderly population. This prospective cross-sectional study investigates the biomechanical properties of optic nerve head (ONH) and cornea in both eyes of patients with NAION and healthy control eyes. A cohort of 30 patients diagnosed with NAION were recruited to the study and followed up for at least six months, with 36 age and gender matched controls examined consecutively. All participants underwent a detailed ophthalmological examination and were examined with conventional and elastographic ultrasonography (USG). ONH elastometry was measured with real time elastometry, and corneal elastometry was measured with ocular response analyser. Results showed that elastometry of cornea and ONH was lower in both eyes of patients with unilateral NAION than in healthy control eyes. The role of these biomechanical differences in the pathogenesis of NAION needs further investigation. Further research in this area would be an important step in identifying risk factors of NAION development.

Optic nerve head elastometry in both eyes of patients with unilateral non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy – may it be a novel aspect of the pathogenesis?
Kosekahya P, Caglayan M, Unal O, et al.
NEURO-OPHTHALMOLOGY
2018;42(4):222-8.