In the present study we evaluated the changes of measured retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) after phakic intraocular lens (implantable collamer lens, ICL) implantation and analyzed the factors correlated with the changes of measured RNFL thickness.

Forty eyes of 40 patients (Group A: 20 patients using spectral domain OCT and Group B: 20 patients using time domain OCT) who underwent ICL implantation were included in this study. RNFL thickness was measured 1 week before surgery and 1 month postoperatively using OCT. The changes of measured RNFL thickness and the correlation between patients' data were analyzed.

The postoperative measured RNFL thickness of the average, inferior, temporal, and superior quadrants were increased compared to preoperative measured RNFL thickness in Group A. Group B had similar results in the average, inferior, and superior quadrants ( p < 0.05). However, the postoperative changes of RNFL measurements were not correlated with the preoperative spherical equivalent, the degree of spherical equivalent change and diopters of implanted lens ( p > 0.05).

The measured RNFL thickness after ICL implantation may increase compared to the preoperative value. Caution should be taken when interpreting the RNFL thickness values measured by OCT in patients with myopia who undergo ICL implantation.