Evaluation of the Choroidal Thickness and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Patients with Vasovagal Syncope

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate choroidal and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (pRNFLT) in individuals with vasovagal syncope (VVS).

Method: A total of 67 consecutive patients with VVS and 61 healthy control subjects were enrolled this study. The choroidal thickness (CT) at fovea, nasal to fovea and, temporal to fovea and pRNLFT measurements assessed by swept source optical-coherence tomography (SS-OCT).

Results: The mean foveal CT (408.7 ± 92.5 μm vs. 342.1 ± 60.2 μm, p< 0.01), mean nasal CT (385.2 ± 88.3 μm vs. 329.2 ± 47.6 μm, p< 0.001), and mean temporal CT (379.5 ± 51.6 μm vs. 321.48 ± 43.2 μm, p< 0.03) were statistically thicker in patients with VVS compared to healthy controls. There was no statistically significant difference in global and all quadrants of pRNFLT measurements between study groups.

Conlusion: In conclusion, we showed that patients with VVS exhibited greater CT across all measured regions when compared to healthy controls. Conversely, there were no signifi-cant variations observed in the thickness of the pRNFL. These findings imply that the choroidal blood flow could be influenced by changes in local neurotransmitter levels in individuals suffering from VVS. This interplay underscores the connection between car-diovascular health and CT alterations, suggesting a need for monitoring in individuals with frequent syncopal episodes to prevent complications and maintain ocular health. Further investigation into these dynamics may yield insights beneficial for clinical practice regarding VVS and ocular health.