Publication:

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness analysis in normal, ocular hypertensive, and primary open angle glaucoma: an optical coherence tomography study

Background To correlate the findings of optical coherence tomography (OCT) evaluation of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in primary open angle glaucoma, ocular hypertensive and normal eyes.

Methods A 34 consecutive normal, 26 consecutive ocular hypertensives and 40 consecutive glaucomatous eyes underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, including applanation tonometry, disc evaluation, gonioscopy and perimetry. Thickness of the RNFL around the optic disc was determined with 3.4 mm diameter-wide 3D 2000 TOPCON OCT. Average and segmental RNFL thickness values were compared among all groups.

Results Of the 100 eyes enrolled, the mean RNFL thickness was significantly less in glaucomatous eyes (83.165±15.938) than in normal’s (102.42±15.2) and ocular hypertensive’s (100.45±7.38). RNFL, average thicknesses in all four quadrants in POAG patients were significantly decreased compared with the OHT and the control groups.

Conclusions RNFL measurement with SD-OCT could provide important information for detection of early stages of glaucoma. (pre-perimetric glaucoma) as well as help in evaluating progression of glaucoma.