Measurement of the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Patients with b-thalassemia Major

To measure the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) in patients with b-thalassemia major and to compare with healthy controls.

A total of 20 patients with B-thalassemia major and 20 healthy controls were included. Each subject underwent a standard ophthalmological examination. RNFLT measurements were, performed using optical coherence tomography.

The mean age of the patient group and healthy controls were 17.85±7.5 and 24.75±9.9 years, respectively. Mean peripapillary RNFL thickness was 88.9±4.67 µm in the patient group, and 94.25±4.15 µm in the control group (P<0.001). In patients, there was no significant relationship between the mean of RNFL and blood ferritin level, differential using, and blood transfusion volume and hemoglobin level (P> 0.05).

In this study, we observed RNFL was thinner in patients with b-thalassemia major. Thinning of RNFL did not correlate with hemoglobin, blood transfusion volume, or ferritin levels, and deferral using.