Influence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on the contralateral optic nerve in patients with unilateral nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The aim was to quantitatively evaluate the influence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on the morphology and function of the contralateral optic nerve in patients with unilateral nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

METHODS

Fifty patients with unilateral NAION were divided into non-OSAS (n = 16), mild OSAS (n = 15), and moderate-severe OSAS (n = 19) groups based on their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) scores. Systemic and ocular characteristics were compared between these groups. Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine the independent factors that most influenced the thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL).

RESULTS

Body mass index and hypertension occurrence were higher in the moderate-severe OSAS group than in the non-OSAS group. Temporal pRNFL was thinner in the moderate-severe group than in the mild and non-OSAS groups, whereas no difference was found between the mild and non-OSAS groups. Spearman correlation showed that the AHI ( = -.469, = .001) and the percentage of total sleep time with oxygen saturation < 90% (T90%; = -.477, = .001) correlated with temporal pRNFL thickness. Multiple linear regression showed that the AHI was negatively associated with temporal pRNFL thickness (β = -0.573, = .003).

CONCLUSIONS

OSAS may cause subclinical temporal pRNFL thinning in the contralateral optic nerve among patients with unilateral NAION without any significant change in visual function. Advanced optic nerve observation and intervention may be warranted in patients with moderate-severe OSAS.

CITATION

Li X, Zhang Y, Guo T, et al. Influence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on the contralateral optic nerve in patients with unilateral nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. . 2023;19(2):347-353.