Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in vitiligo patients

Background: This study was designed to investigate the effect of vitiligo on the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology at Kırıkkale University during 2010 and 2011. Sixty eight eyes of 34 vitiligo patients were included in the study. Eighty four eyes were served as control. RNFL thickness was measured by scanning laser polarimetry (Nerve Fiber Analyzer, GDx VCC: 5.3.3; Laser Diagnostic Technologies, San Diego, CA, USA). Results: The mean duration of vitiligo was found to be 9.8 ± 2.3 years. The mean average RNFL thickness outside the disc margin was significantly lower in the right eyes of vitiligo group in comparison to the controls (P = 0.02). The mean average thickness of RNFL beneath the measuring ellipse in the superior sector of both eyes were significantly lower than the controls (P = 0.004, P = 0.008, respectively). The topographical distributions of RNFL thickness in superior, inferior, nasal and temporal quadrants were similar for two groups. Conclusion: RNFL thickness seems to be unaffected in vitiligo patients.