Optical coherence tomography assessment of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness changes after glaucoma surgery

PURPOSE: To assess changes in retinal nerve fiber layer (NFL) thickness in glaucoma patients after filtration surgery by using optical coherence tomography (OCT). DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight eyes of 31 glaucoma patients who underwent trabeculectomy or a combined procedure of cataract extraction and trabeculectomy were evaluated retrospectively. METHODS: Eyes were imaged with OCT before surgery (1 week to 6 months before surgery; mean +/- standard deviation [SD], 71.3 +/- 61.2 days) and after surgery (6-12 months after surgery; 247.2 +/- 63.5 days) to measure peripapillary NFL thickness. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in mean and segmental NFL thickness with respect to age, postoperative change in intraocular pressure (IOP), preoperative visual field test global indices, and change in visual field global indices. RESULTS: A significant increase in the overall mean NFL thickness was present after surgery (P < 0.0001). Segmental analysis found a significant increase in NFL thickness in the nasal, superior, and temporal quadrants. IOP decreased after surgery from 22.0 +/- 6.4 mmHg to 11.4 +/- 4.7 mmHg (mean +/- SD). Twenty-eight (73.7%) of 38 eyes had an IOP reduction >30%. The mean NFL thickness increase (0.5- microm/mmHg decrease of IOP) was significantly correlated with the IOP reduction (r = -0.41; P = 0.03). No correlation was found between NFL thickness changes and age, preoperative visual field global indices, or change in visual field global indices. CONCLUSIONS: A significant increase of the mean NFL thickness, which was related to IOP reduction, was detected after glaucoma filtration surgery.     

Retinal nerve fiber loss pattern in high-tension glaucoma by optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE: To identify the pattern of retinal nerve fiber layer thinning in high-tension primary chronic open-angle glaucoma (HT-PCOAG) using optical coherence tomography. METHODS: Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was assessed with optical coherence tomography in 68 healthy controls and 68 age- and refractive error-matched patients with HT-PCOAG were recruited. Patients were divided into 3 subgroups according to their visual field mean deviation: early (> -3 dB), moderate (-3 to -7 dB), and moderately advanced (-7 to -15 dB). RESULTS: Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness values in inferotemporal and superotemporal regions were significantly lower in all groups of glaucomatous eyes than in healthy eyes (P<0.001). Inferotemporal thickness values were significantly lower than the superotemporal thickness values (P<0.001) in the early glaucomatous stage, but not significantly so in moderate and moderately advanced stages. CONCLUSIONS: Besides a diffuse retinal nerve fiber layer defect, a localized defect may present in the inferotemporal region in early-stage HT-PCOAG. These results also suggest that optical coherence tomography shows promise in providing quantitative data about the location and extent of retinal nerve fiber layer injury in glaucoma, and the findings are consistent with previous knowledge.     

急性闭角型青光眼大发作后视网膜神经纤维层厚度的变化

目的观察急性闭角型青光眼大发作后视网膜神经纤维层厚度的改变。方法应用相关光断层扫描（OCT）测量急性闭角型青光眼大发作患者发病及治疗后的视网膜神经纤维层厚度的改变,在同期测量36只眼正常成人的视网膜神经纤维层厚度作为对比。病例入选标准为急性闭角型青光眼单眼大发作患者,能够配合进行OCT检测。测量时间为人院后当天、经治疗眼压下降至正常范围后1、3、6个月。结果符合人选标准并完成随访的病例共36例。在入院当天视网膜神经纤维层厚度较正常对照组增加（P〈0．05）。眼压正常后1、3、6个月,平均视网膜神经纤维层厚度较正常对照均明显下降（P〈0．05）,并随时间推移呈逐渐下降趋势。在眼压下降到正常范围后的1—3个月内视力逐渐上升,而在3～6个月内视力基本稳定。眼压下降到正常后,在整个随访期内均处于正常范围,但是随着时间的推移有逐渐上升的趋势。结论眼压的急性升高在早期可造成视网膜神经纤维层平均厚度增加,以上、下方为主。在经过治疗眼压降至正常范围内后,视网膜神经纤维层厚度逐渐下降、变薄。     

Retinal nerve fiber loss in high- and normal-tension glaucoma by optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To compare the pattern of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) damages in high-tension and normal-tension primary chronic open-angle glaucoma using optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: Age- and refractive error-matched patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) (n = 38) and high-tension glaucoma (HTG) (n = 48) and normal subjects (n = 48) were recruited. All subjects underwent complete eye examinations and OCT RNFL assessments. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between eyes with HTG and NTG for any OCT RNFL thickness parameters (p > 0.05). Inferotemporal thickness values were significantly lower than the superotemporal thickness values in both glaucoma groups (p < 0.001), but no difference was observed in the normal group. Compared with the results from normal subjects, several OCT parameters, including average, superior, inferior, inferotemporal, and superotemporal values, were significantly lower in patients with HTG and NTG (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A mixture of diffuse RNFL damage (superotemporal and inferotemporal regions) and local damage in inferotemporal region was observed in patients with HTG and NTG, suggesting that HTG and NTG may undergo same pathological process.     

Optical coherence tomography shows early loss of the inferior temporal quadrant retinal nerve fiber layer in autosomal dominant optic atrophy

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between visual function and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) determined using Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA).

Methods

The study was a retrospective, institutional, and comparative case series. Thirty-six consecutive patients with ADOA and 72 age-matched normal controls were compared with regard to RNFLT, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and visual field.

Results

The relative reduction of RNFLT of ADOA patients was most evident in the temporal quadrant (56.8 %), followed by the inferior (35.5 %), superior (27.2 %), and nasal quadrants (26.4 %). In ADOA patients, BCVA decreased with RNFL thinning (p?<?0.001), and was not related to age (p?=?0.210). Papillomacular bundle RNFLT decreased with age throughout the study period of 3.7?±?2.3 years (?3.83?±?9.96 μm, p?=?0.017). The presence of a superotemporal central scotoma (61.1 %) was related to decreased inferotemporal RNFLT (7 and 8 o’clock, p?=?0.016 and p?=?0.036, respectively).

Conclusions

The papillomacular bundle RNFL of ADOA is most vulnerable and progressively damaged with age, despite early temporal RNFL loss. Early loss of inferior temporal RNFL in ADOA is related to superotemporal central scotoma.

     

Optical coherence tomography angiography in pre-perimetric open-angle glaucoma

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography, in patients with pre-perimetric open-angle...     

相干光断层成像检查对视盘小凹的临床意义

目的探讨相干光断层成像(OCT)检查对视盘小凹的临床意义。方法对6例(6只眼)视盘小凹患者进行回顾性研究,全部病例均采用OCT进行扫描,详细分析患者视盘、乳头黄斑束区及黄斑区的结构改变。结果 OCT显示全部6例患者视盘表现为颞侧筛板组织缺失,呈无组织反射的暗区,5例视盘小凹与视网膜劈裂腔之间有光学空腔相连,伴有黄斑区神经上皮浆液性脱离,2例有脉络膜缺损。结论由于OCT是横截面成像,能在活体上观察视盘小凹患者的视盘、乳头黄斑束区、黄斑区视网膜各层次的改变;因而OCT在视盘小凹的发病机制、诊断、随访中有重要临床意义。     

Optical coherence tomography and localized defects of the retinal nerve fiber layer

PURPOSE: To test the capability of the optical coherence tomography (OCT) to demonstrate and quantitate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects. METHODS: The authors examined 6 eyes of 6 chronic open angle glaucoma patients with the OCT. The patients had abnormal Humphrey 30-2 visual fields which corresponded to RNFL defects visible in monochromatic fundus images taken with a digital imaging system. The RNFL images were used for directing the OCT scans to areas where most information was believed to be obtainable. Several linear scans of different lengths across healthy and abnormal RNFL regions were made. RESULTS: When the OCT images were compared to RNFL photographs, the defective areas showed reduced backscattering with the OCT, being distinctly different from the adjacent normal RNFL. Except for one case the RNFL thickness values were smaller in the areas of abnormal appearance compared to areas of normal appearance. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study suggests that the OCT examination results of the RNFL are in good agreement with the RNFL appearance in monochromatic fundus images.     

Optical coherence tomography in progressive outer retinal necrosis.

A 38-year-old man with human immunodeficiency virus was referred for evaluation of retinal lesions in both eyes. Optical coherence tomography was performed after dilating the pupils. Biomicroscopy of the retina showed an atypical, solitary, yellowish-white lesion in the macula of both eyes with no inflammation of the vitreous. Optical coherence tomography of the lesions showed an area of extremely low reflectivity with well-defined but irregular borders in the outer retina. The surrounding retina showed normal reflectivity and was of normal thickness. Optical coherence tomography showed selective necrosis of the outer layers due to progressive outer retinal necrosis. Optical coherence tomography may serve as a useful tool for the early diagnosis of progressive outer retinal necrosis.     

Optical coherence tomography assessed retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with Alzheimer’s disease: a meta-analysis

AIM: To investigate the difference of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness between Alzheimer’s disease patients and normal people, so as to provide clue for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. METHODS: The articles on the association of RNFL thickness and Alzheimer’s disease were retrieved by searching international and national databases. The qualified articles were assessed by meta analysis with Stata11.0 software. The results were pooled using weighted mean difference (WMD) with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Totally 7 studies enrolled 324 eyes were included in the meta-analysis. The results of meta analysis showed that in AD patients, there was a significant average RNFL thickness reduction compared with the control group [WMD=-17.561, 95%CI: (-23.971, -11.151)]. There were significant differences in superior, inferior, nasal and temporal RNFL thickness between the two groups. WMD with a 95%CI were [-18.829, 95%CI:(-25.915, -11.743); P<0.05], [-25.775, 95%CI:(-34.304, -17.247); P<0.05], [-16.877, 95%CI: (-29.141, -4.613); P<0.001] and [-14.565, 95%CI:(-28.002, -1.128); P<0.001] respectively. Begg’s test and Egger’s test did not show significant difference, funnel plot was basically symmetrical, indicating that there was no publication bias existed. CONCLUSION: There are significant differences in the RNFL thickness in all quadrants between the two groups. RNFL thickness is reduced in AD patients compared with the control group.     

Detection of progressive macular thickness loss using optical coherence tomography in glaucoma suspect and glaucomatous eyes

Aims

To examine the rate of macular thickness loss using time-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in functionally progressing versus non-progressing eyes, determined by standard automated perimetry (SAP).

Methods

Glaucoma suspects (GS) and glaucomatous (G) eyes underwent SAP and OCT imaging every 6 months. Functional progression was determined using pointwise linear regression, defined as 2 contiguous locations losing ≥1.0 dB/year at P<1.0% in the same hemifield. The annual rate of macular thickness loss was calculated from inner and outer regions of the macular map.

Results

72 eyes (43 GS and 29G) with ≥30 months of follow-up were enroled. Fourteen eyes demonstrated SAP progression. The annual rate of macular thickness loss (μm/year) in progressing eyes was faster (all P<0.05) than non-progressing eyes in temporal outer (−1.90±2.97 vs 0.33±2.77), nasal inner (−1.70±2.66 vs 0.14±2.76), superior inner (−2.15±4.57 vs 0.51±2.99), temporal inner quadrants (−2.58±5.05 vs −0.38±2.34), and the average of inner macular quadrants (−1.84±2.90 vs 0.03±2.10). The rate of loss in the nasal inner (P=0.02) and temporal outer (P=0.02) macular regions was associated with optic disc haemorrhage.

Conclusions

Eyes with SAP progression have significantly greater rates of macular thickness loss consistent with glaucomatous retinal ganglion cell atrophy, as compared with non-progressing eyes.     

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) in glaucoma diagnostics

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides high resolution objective and quantitative measurements of the optic disc parameters and RNFL thickness and has been widely used for detection of glaucomatous damage and disease progression. The recent introduction of spectral domain (SD)-OCT technology, also known as Fourier domain (FD)-OCT offers significant advantages over the previous time domain (TD)-OCT, allowing 3?D imaging of the retina and optic disc with ultra-high acquisition speed and ultra-high resolution. The higher resolution of (SD)-OCT offers enhanced visualisation and improved segmentation of the retinal layers, providing a higher accuracy in identification of subtle changes of the optic disc and RNFL thinning associated with glaucoma.     

Optical coherence tomography in malignant glaucoma following filtration surgery

AIM: To assess the value of slit lamp adapted optical coherence tomography (OCT) for the management of malignant glaucoma following filtration surgery. METHODS: Two patients (three eyes) developed malignant glaucoma following filtration surgery for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). With slit lamp adapted OCT it was possible to image non-invasively the anterior chamber angle structures during the malignant glaucoma episode, and after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with anterior chamber reformation. RESULTS: OCT revealed in both patients a markedly decreased anterior chamber angle with extreme shallowing of the anterior chamber depth during the acute malignant glaucoma phase. This critical closure of the anterior chamber angle resolved after PPV and deepening of the anterior chamber with viscoelastic. After PPV the quantitative values of the anterior chamber angle (ACA) and the anterior chamber opening distance (AOD) increased from 0 to an ACA of 35 degrees (SD 14 degrees ) and an AOD of 426 (SD 162) micro m. CONCLUSIONS: Non-contact slit lamp adapted OCT was helpful to evaluate the anterior chamber structures in malignant glaucoma, and thus could improve management of this serious clinical disorder.