Reduced retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in children with severe obesity

Summary Background Some optic nerve diseases are silent and insidious. Recently, reduced thickness of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) has been associated with increasing body mass index in adults. Objectives To investigate the association of childhood obesity with RNFL measured by optical coherence tomography imaging. Methods Ninety-seven children aged 5–14 years classified according to standard deviation score of body mass index (SDS-BMI) were included. Parameters of metabolic risk, adipocytokines (leptin, adiponectin) and interleukin-6 were analyzed. All subjects underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination with direct ophthalmoscopy. Evaluation of RNFL with optical coherence tom…