Inner retinal thickness in Stargardt disease

Abstract

Purpose To analyze the alterations at the level of the inner retina in patients affected by Stargardt disease (STGD1). Methods Cross-sectional investigation involving STGD1 patients with genetically confirmed diagnosis, who underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT), optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), and microperimetry. Results Overall, 31 patients (62 eyes) with genetically confirmed STGD1 were included in the study. Mean inner retinal thickness, vessel density of plexa, and retinal sensitivity resulted significantly reduced in STGD patients, compared with healthy controls ( p < 0.05), both in the outer and in the inner ETDRS rings. Overall, 43% of eyes revealed an inner retinal thinning, whereas 21% and 35% showed a thicker or within normal range inner retina. Conclusions Inner retina is irregularly altered in STGD1, showing variable quantitative alterations as detected on OCT. Inner retinal status might represent a useful biomarker to better characterize STGD1 and to ascertain the effects of new treatment approaches.