[Analysis of retinal nerve fiber layer in chronic tobacco and alcohol users].

PURPOSES To evaluate the retinal nerve fiber layer using GDx in chronic alcohol and tobacco users. METHODS Twenty-three chronic alcohol and tobacco users were studied (study group). As a control group, sixteen volunteers without use of alcohol and tobacco with similar characteristics (age, gender and race) were included. Both eyes were tested for analysis of the retinal nerve fiber layer with GDx. RESULTS There was alteration in the Deviation from normal graph with a loss of nerve fibers in 43.4% of patients in the study group. In the control group this alteration was observed in 14 eyes (18.7%). As regards the parameters that allow comparison between the study and control groups there was a statistically significant difference regarding the following parameters: Ellipse modulation, Inferior ratio and Max modulation. CONCLUSIONS The chronic use of tobacco and alcohol was associated with alteration of the nerve fiber layer. Thus, these results can contribute to the early diagnosis of nerve fiber layer loss in optic neuropathy.