Longitudinal changes in ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer of fellow eyes in unilateral neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Abstract Purpose To determine longitudinal changes in the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness of the fellow eyes of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Design A prospective cohort study. Methods Patients with unilateral neovascular AMD, unilateral polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and controls were included. After the initial visit, GC-IPL thickness was measured twice more with at least 1-year interval between examinations using spectral-domain OCT. Results 27 fellow eyes of patients with unilateral choroidal neovascularization (CNV), 33 fellow eyes of patients with unilateral PCV, and 35 control eyes were enrolled. The GC-IPL thickness of the fellow eyes was 78.41 ± 9.23, 81.20 ± 5.52, and 81.60 ± 3.83 μm in the CNV, PCV, and control groups, respectively, and they showed a significant change over time (P PCV, control, P Conclusions The fellow eyes of patients with neovascular AMD showed a greater reduction rate of GC-IPL thickness compared to the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral PCV and normal individuals. In patients with unilateral neovascular AMD, fellow eyes with a thicker GC-IPL at baseline showed a greater reduction in GC-IPL thickness over time.