A novel retinal biomarker for Parkinson's disease: Quantifying the foveal pit with optical coherence tomography

Background Optical coherence tomography offers a potential biomarker tool in Parkinson's disease (PD). A mathematical model quantifying symmetry, breadth, and depth of the fovea was applied. Methods Nintey-six subjects (72 PD and 24 healthy controls) were included in the study. Macular scans of each eye were obtained on two different optical coherence tomography devices: Cirrus and RTVue. Results The variables corresponding to the cardinal gradients of the fovea were the most sensitive indicators of PD for both devices. Principal component analysis distinguished 65% of PD patients from controls on Cirrus, 57% on RTVue. Conclusion Parkinson's disease shallows the superior/inferior and to a lesser degree nasal-temporal foveal slope. The symmetry, breadth, and depth model fits optical coherence tomography data derived from two different devices, and it is proposed as a diagnostic tool in PD. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society