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Title

Evaluation of ganglion cells loss in anterior ischaemic optic neuropathies

Purpose	To analyse the loss of thickness of ganglion cell complex (GCC, inner plexiform layer and ganglion cell layer) in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION).
Methods	This retrospective study enrolled 32 eyes (28 patients) with NA-AION and 28 fellow eyes, considered as controls, between 2014 and 2020. A complete examination with visual field (VF), visual acuity (VA) and optical coherence tomography was performed at baseline and after 1, 3 and 6 months. Retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and GCC layer thickness were evaluated at each visit.
Results	A total of 28 patients were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 59±11 years (57.1% were male). At presentation, mean (±SD) RNFL thickness in patients with NA-AION was 227.4 (±72.1) and 92,6 µm (±9.0) in the fellow eyes (p<0.05). At 6 months, a significant decrease was observed in the pathologic eyes (64.9 (±10.4) µm). GCC layer thickness at presentation and at 6 months in the NA-AION eyes were 60.3 ± 24.4 and 61.9 ±10.4 µm, respectively, a non significant difference. When compared to the fellow eyes (80.4±6.5, p<0,0001), we observed a significant reduction of the GCC thickness corresponding to a loss of 24.3% in average (range: 5-42.6%). Moreover, a negative correlation (r=-0,64) is observed between the VF defect and the GCC thickness.
Conclusion	After an episode of NA-AION, we observed a significant decrease of GCC thickness compared to the fellow eye, which is correlated to the visual field defect.
Conflict of interest	No

Authors 1

Last name	CHAPELLE
Initials	A
Department	CHU de Liège
City	Liège

Authors 2

Last name	RAKIC
Initials	JM
Department	CHU de Liège
City	Liège

Authors 3

Last name	PLANT
Initials	GT
Department	Moorfields Eye Hospital
City	London