Obstrüktif Uyku Apnesinin Şiddeti ve Bunun Retina Ganglion Hücre Kompleksi ile Retina Sinir Lifi Tabakası Üzerindeki Etkisi

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate whether chronic systemic hypoxia associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is related to structural changes in the retinal ganglion cell complex (GCC) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL).Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, observational case–control study included 49 OSAS patients and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls with a normal apnea–hypopnea index (AHI 0.05). Correlation analyses showed no significant associations between GCC or RNFL thickness and AHI, mean SpO₂, nadir SpO₂, duration of SpO₂ at 80–90%, or the percentage of sleep time spent in this range (all p>0.05). Sector-based analyses revealed no focal retinal thinning.Conclusion: GCC and RNFL thickness were not associated with OSAS severity or nocturnal hypoxemia parameters. These findings suggest that global hypoxic burden alone may not cause early retinal neurodegeneration. Local ischemic or microvascular factors may be more influential. Larger longitudinal studies including retinal perfusion imaging are needed.