Significant Thinning of Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer in Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: An Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Analysis Running title: Running title: RNFL in LHON by OCTA

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To analyse the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) in m.11778G > A mutation in the MT-ND4 gene. Method This work is a retrospective study and included 24 eyes from 12 patients with LHON. Fifteen healthy people with 30 eyes matched to the age and gender of the patient group were recruited as a normal control group. All of the LHON patients with m.11778G > A mutation were diagnosed by genetic testing. Peripapillary RNFL included 360-degree average and eight sectors (superotemporal, superonasal, nasoupper, nasolower, inferonasal, inferotemporal, temporolower, temporoupper) were measured by OCTA. Results Compared with control group, peripapillary RNFL in LHON group were significant thinner in average thickness (p < 0.01) and eight sectors (all p < 0.01). Conclusions OCTA results confirm that peripapillary RNFL is significant thinner in LHON patients. OCTA can evaluate eight sectors RNFL damage on LHON patients.