Laser scanning tomography of the optic nerve head in ocular hypertension and glaucoma
BACKGROUND This study evaluated the ability of laser scanning tomography to distinguish between normal and glaucomatous optic nerve heads, and between glaucomatous subjects with and without field loss. METHODS 57 subjects were classified into three diagnostic groups: subjects with elevated intraocul...
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Published in | British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 81; no. 10; pp. 871 - 876 |
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Main Authors | , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JR
BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
01.10.1997
BMJ BMJ Publishing Group LTD |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | BACKGROUND This study evaluated the ability of laser scanning tomography to distinguish between normal and glaucomatous optic nerve heads, and between glaucomatous subjects with and without field loss. METHODS 57 subjects were classified into three diagnostic groups: subjects with elevated intraocular pressure, normal optic nerve heads, and normal visual fields (n=10); subjects with glaucomatous optic neuropathy and normal visual fields (n=30); and subjects with glaucomatous optic neuropathy and repeatable visual field abnormality (n=17). Three 10 degree image series were acquired on each subject using the Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT). From the 14 HRT stereometric variables, three were selected a priori for evaluation: (1) volume above reference (neuroretinal rim volume), (2) third moment in contour (cup shape), and (3) height variation contour (variation in relative nerve fibre layer height at the disc margin). Data were analysed using analysis of covariance, with age as the covariate. RESULTS Volume above reference, third moment in contour, and mean height contour were significantly different between each of the three diagnostic groups (p<0.001). Height variation contour showed no significant difference among the three diagnostic groups (p=0.906). CONCLUSIONS The HRT variables measuring rim volume, cup shape, and mean nerve fibre layer height distinguished between (1) subjects with elevated intraocular pressures and normal nerve heads, and glaucomatous optic nerve heads, and (2) glaucomatous optic nerve heads with and without repeatable visual field abnormality. This study did not directly assess the ability of the HRT to identify patients at risk of developing glaucoma. It is hypothesised that the greatest potential benefit of laser scanning tomography will be in the documentation of change within an individual over time. |
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Bibliography: | istex:36017B176917732631ACAD4FD27F5CE0C58DCEE6 href:bjophthalmol-81-871.pdf PMID:9486029 local:bjophthalmol;81/10/871 J G Flanagan, PhD, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Toronto, The Toronto Hospital (Western Division), East Wing 6-503, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 2S8. ark:/67375/NVC-BMHNSDHC-X ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0007-1161 1468-2079 |
DOI: | 10.1136/bjo.81.10.871 |