RETRACTED ARTICLE: Evaluation of macular thickness and visual pathways using optic coherence tomography and pattern visual evoked potential in different clinical stages of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract

Aim

The present study aimed to investigate and compare possible changes in amplitude and latency of pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEP) and thickness of quadrants of the macula (TQM) using optic coherence tomography (OCT).

Materials and Methods

According to polysomnography examinations, 30 mild, 30 severe, 30 controls were included in the study after approval from the ethics committee.

Results

No significant difference was found in age and gender between the groups (p = 0.184 and p = 0.954). Significant difference was found between external and internal superior TQM, mean thickness of ganglion cell layer in comparison of all three groups (p = 0.011, p = 0.047, p = 0.030). In comparison between severe OSAS and control groups, significant difference was found in internal nasal, internal superior and external superior TQM (p = 0.048, p = 0.033, p = 0.014) while no significant difference was found TQM in comparison between the mild OSAS and control groups. In comparison between the group of severe OSAS and controls, significant increase was found in P100 as well as N145 latencies whereas only P100 latency was found to increase when mild OSAS was compared with controls. No significant correlation was found between TQM and PVEP parameters in mild and severe OSAS patients.

Discussion

Latency and amplitude of PVEP altered in OSAS because edema and inflammation was remarkable in mild as well as severe stages of the disease. Furthermore, thinning in the macula was observed only in severe stages of the disease, explained with level of atrophy and exposure to extended hypoxia.

Keywords:

• Macula
• obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
• visual evoked potential
• optic coherence tomography
• polysomnography

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in the studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Celal Bayar University Medical Faculty Etic Committee (Approval Date: 14/03/2018 Approval Number: 20.478.486) and with Helsinki declaration (1964) and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all indivipaired participants included in the study.

Additional information

Funding

Supported by Scientific Researches Project of Celal Bayar University (2018-105).