Objective retinal nerve fiber laser assessment by scanning laser polarimetry in patients with chiasmal compression

PURPOSE: To assess the evaluation ability of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in patients with visual tracts' compression and to assess the correlation between visual field loss and changes in RNFL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Polarimetric RNFL analysis (scanning laser polarimeter- NFA/GDx, software version 1.0.16, LDT(inc)) and kinetic perimetry were done in 41 eyes with different types of optic chiasma compression and in 40 healthy eyes, age matched controls. RESULTS: In eyes with optic chiasma compression most of the GDx parameters were statistically different from the control group (P<0.05). In eyes with normal visual fields and with optic chiasma compression most of GDx parameters were statistically different from the other analyzed groups. CONCLUSIONS: GDx may be a helpful tool in diagnosis of optic chiasma diseases. GDx is a useful visual prognostic indicator in the preoperative assessment of optic chiasma compression. Objective RNFL assessment is especially important in patients with serious visual field loss and poor visual acuity.     

Analytical model of scanning laser polarimetry for retinal nerve fiber layer assessment

PURPOSE: To develop a quantitative understanding of scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) assessment in glaucoma diagnosis and management. METHODS: The Mueller calculus was used to model the polarization optics of SLP. A birefringent retinal structure (RNFL or macula) was represented as a circularly symmetric linear retarder with a radial slow axis. The birefringent cornea and a corneal compensator within the SLP instrument were represented as fixed linear retarders. The model provided images of the radial retarder that were compared with retardance images obtained by SLP of the macula in eight normal subjects. Theoretical and experimental images were quantified with circular profiles around the center of the radial retarder or macula. Experimental retardance profiles were varied by tilting the subject's head to rotate the corneal axis. The SLP model was fit to the experimental profiles by nonlinear least-squares curve fitting. RESULTS: The combined retarder formed by the cornea and corneal compensator induced bow-tie patterns in images of the radial retarder. Macular SLP images exhibited similar patterns. Retardance profiles could be characterized by three parameters: modulation, mean, and axis. The SLP model fit the experimental profiles very well (r(2) = 0.8 - 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: The SLP model provided a quantitative framework within which to interpret SLP studies. Modulation-based parameters were generally more sensitive to retinal birefringence than mean-based parameters. Corneal birefringence is an important source of variance in SLP, especially for mean-based parameters. The theory developed for this study may guide improvements in clinical SLP.     

Influence of optic disc size on parameters of retinal nerve fiber analysis with laser scanning polarimetry

Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of optic disc size on the variables of laser scanning polarimetry (GDx).Patients and methods One hundred and nineteen healthy controls and 161 patients with ocular hypertension (OHT) received detailed ophthalmologic investigation with respect to glaucoma including retinal nerve fiber analysis with GDx (Version 3.0.05×1; Laser Diagnostic Technologies Europe). Optic disc size was measured with planimetry using 15° optic disc photographs. With respect to frequency of optic disc size in the normal population patients were divided in quartiles of equal sample size.Results The ratio between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the superior and inferior areas in relation to the nasal and temporal regions decreases significantly with increasing optic disc size and the difference between the highest and lowest retinal nerve fiber layer thickness decreases significantly with increasing optic disc size. The results of multivariate neural network analysis increased with larger optic disc size in controls as well as in patients with OHT. Linear regression analysis showed an increase of 9 units (the Number) per 1 mm² of optic disc size. A Number above 30, which indicates suspected glaucoma, was detected in more than a third of the normal population investigated if the optic disc area was larger than 3.5 mm². Overall, patients with OHT had a higher Number than controls (20.5±11.5 vs. 18.1±10.4; p>0.05), but the difference between the two groups did not reach a significant level.Conclusions Retinal nerve fiber analysis in patients with an optic disc size larger than 3.5 mm² should be interpreted carefully; the Number in particular requires corrections for optic disc size.     

Effects of contact lenses on scanning laser polarimetry of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of contact lenses on scanning laser polarimetry of the peripapillary nerve fiber layer. METHODS: In a prospective study using the Nerve Fiber Analyzer (Laser Diagnostic Technologies, San Diego, California), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in 22 subjects (51 eyes) was imaged with and without contact lenses (disposable and nondisposable daily wear soft and rigid gas permeable). Measurements of the circumference and of each quadrant were compared using paired Student t test. RESULTS: Nerve Fiber Analyzer measurements with and without contact lenses were not significantly different for any of the contact lens types tested (P > or = .11), using either hyperopic (to +4 diopters) or myopic (to -8.5 diopters) lenses. CONCLUSION: Contact lens wear and refractive power of the eye within the range tested do not significantly affect scanning laser polarimetry of the peripapillary nerve fiber layer.     

Reproducibility of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements using scanning laser polarimetry in pseudophakic eyes

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reproducibility of retinal nerve fiber layer measurements in pseudophakic normal and glaucomatous eyes using scanning laser polarimetry (GDx, Laser Diagnostic Technologies, Inc., San Diego, CA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Normal and glaucomatous patients with polymethylmethacrylate posterior chamber intraocular lenses that satisfied entry criteria underwent imaging by two experienced operators. Eyes with posterior capsule opacification or vision less than 20/30 were excluded. Baseline images (mean pixel SD less than 8 mm) were obtained on 3 separate days within a 7-week period. Reproducibility, defined as the pooled within eye variance of these 3 measurements and the coefficient of variation for 12 retardation parameters generated by GDx software were calculated. RESULTS: Eighteen eyes (11 glaucoma, 7 normal) of 15 patients (7 female, 8 male) were enrolled (mean age 78 +/- 6 years). Among glaucomatous eyes, the average mean deviation and corrected pattern standard deviation using achromatic automated perimetry (Zeiss-Humphrey, Dublin, CA) was -3.8 +/- 1.5 dB (range, -1.89 to -5.04 dB) and 4.9 +/- 3.3 dB (range 0 to 11.05 dB), respectively. Coefficient of variation was 10% or less for all retardation parameters except ellipse modulation (20.2%) and neural network number (12.4%). Glaucomatous and normal eyes had similar variability for 8 of 12 (66.7%) retardation parameters. Inferior ratio, ellipse modulation, and superior ratio were significantly less variable in glaucomatous eyes (P = 0.007, 0.02, and 0.04 respectively) than normal eyes. Superior integral was more variable in glaucomatous eyes (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Retardation measurements may be obtained in pseudophakic eyes with acceptable reproducibility. Normal eyes and eyes with mild glaucomatous damage have similar variability for most retardation parameters.     

Evaluation of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurement following laser in situ keratomileusis using scanning laser polarimetry

AIM: To evaluate the effect of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) on the measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness by scanning laser polarimetry using customized corneal compensation in myopes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Scanning laser polarimetry was performed on 54 eyes of 54 healthy patients with myopia using the glaucoma diagnostics variable corneal compensation (GDx VCC) instrument (Laser Diagnostic Technologies, San Diego, California) before and a week after LASIK. The various parameters were compared using the Student's t test. RESULTS: No statistically significant change was observed in any of the retinal nerve fiber layer parameters before and after LASIK. CONCLUSIONS: While the measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness by scanning laser polarimetry is affected by anterior segment birefringent properties and LASIK would be expected to produce changes in the same, customized corneal compensation using the GDx VCC seems to adequately compensate for these changes.     

Effect of laser in situ keratomileusis on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements by scanning laser polarimetry

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) on retinal nerve fiber layer measurements by scanning laser polarimetry in a large clinical trial. SETTING: Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul, Korea. METHODS: Scanning laser polarimetry measurements were performed in 59 eyes of 59 consecutive patients who had LASIK. The mean retardation values of the whole measurement ellipse and of the superior, inferior, temporal, and nasal sectors of the ellipse before and after LASIK were compared statistically. RESULTS: The mean spherical equivalent refractive error was -6.10 diopters (D) +/- 2.34 (SD) (range -1.19 to -15.50 D) preoperatively and -0.31 +/- 0.52 D (range +0.68 to -2.13 D) postoperatively. The mean ablation depth was 94.0 +/- 30.49 microm (range 28.0 to 161.1 microm). The mean postoperative retardation values of all the sectors and of the superior, temporal, inferior, and nasal sectors showed reduced nerve fiber layer thickness (P =.000, P =.000, P =.011, P =.000, and P=.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Laser in situ keratomileusis affected nerve fiber layer thickness measurements by scanning laser polarimetry. The change in nerve fiber layer thickness was probably due to modification of the corneal architecture. This effect of keratorefractive surgery should be considered when using scanning laser polarimetry as a diagnostic and follow-up tool for glaucoma.     

Retinal nerve fiber layer measurements using laser scanning polarimetry in different stages of glaucomatous optic nerve damage

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of polarimetric measurements of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in different stages of glaucomatous optic nerve damage. METHODS: The study included 92 eyes of 46 controls (age 41.0+/-13.7 years) and a heterogeneous group of 232 eyes of 135 patients with different stages of glaucomatous optic nerve damage (age 54.0+/-10.2 years; 68 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, 56 with normal-pressure glaucoma and 11 patients with secondary glaucoma due to primary dispersion syndrome or pseudoexfoliation syndrome). All control subjects and patients underwent complete ophthalmological examinations including scanning laser polarimetry of the RNFL using the GDx (Laser Diagnostic Technologies, San Diego, Calif.) and 15 degrees color stereo optic disc photographs. Only subjects and patients with disc area less than 3.4 mm(2) were included in the study. The total glaucoma group were divided into four subgroups according to the morphological criteria of the neuroretinal rim. RESULTS: The stage of morphological glaucomatous optic nerve damage was classified as follows: stage 0: n=92, stage 1: n=103, stage 2: n=65, stage 3: n=40, and stage 4: n=19. Differences in mean polarimetric retardation between controls and eyes with glaucoma were significant for all parameters except the variable symmetry. The most significant differences between controls and eyes with glaucomatous optic nerve damage were found with the "number" variable assigned by the neural network analysis ( P<0.001). With increasing stage of glaucomatous optic nerve damage, separation of the variable "the number" increased significantly. At a predetermined specificity of 90% the sensitivity of the groups with different stages of morphological glaucomatous optic nerve damage increased from 32% for stage 1 to 90% for stage 4. CONCLUSION: Polarimetric measurement of the RNFL thickness is significantly associated with morphological glaucomatous optic nerve damage. The fast performance, easy handling, and low cost of RNFL polarimetry mean that it can be included in the routine examination of glaucoma patients. Further study and refinement of this technique are indicated to improve its usefulness in both clinical diagnosis and in population-based case identification.     

Assessment of nerve fiber layer in diabetic patients with scanning laser polarimetry

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy and degree of blood glucose (BG) regulation on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness by using a scanning laser polarimeter (NFA-GDx). METHODS: We prospectively assessed RNFL thickness in four groups of patients, who were all age matched. Diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy were grouped according to their BG regulation level into two, as: BG-regulated group (BG <140 mg/dl, HbA1c <8%, fructosamine <285 micromol/l, TG <200 mg/dl, n = 50), and BG-non-regulated group (BG = 140-250 mg/dl, HbA1c >8%, fructosamine >285 micromol/l, TG >200 mg/dl, n = 44). A group of patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) formed the 3rd group (n = 41). The 4th group consisted of healthy subjects and acted as a control group (n = 50). Symmetry, superior maximum, ellipse modulation and the average thickness variables of NFA-GDx were used for the assessment. ANOVA test was used for the statistical analysis of variables between groups. RESULTS: The mean superior maximum and ellipse modulation values were statistically significantly lower than the control group in BG-non-regulated and NPDR groups (P < 0.05). The average thickness value was also statistically significantly lower than the control group in NPDR group. These values in the BG-regulated group were not statistically significantly different from the control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first clinical study demonstrating the effects of diabetic glucose regulation level on RNFL by using NFA-GDx. RNFL thickness was seen to decrease with development of diabetic retinopathy and with impairment of metabolic regulation. This issue should be taken into account while assessing RNFL in diabetic glaucomatous patients.     

Normal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the peripapillary region measured by scanning laser polarimetry.

PURPOSE: To measure retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) as a function of distance from the optic nerve head using a confocal scanning laser polarimeter, such as the Nerve Fiber Analyzer (GDx). METHODS: Twenty eyes of 20 healthy patients were recruited for this study. Each patient had a normal visual field and a healthy optic nerve head, which was assessed by slit-lamp biomicroscopy using a 90-diopter lens and by a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Using the GDx, RNFLT was calculated from 1.1 disc diameters (DD) to 2.5 DD in 0.1-DD increments from the outer edge of the optic disc rim. RNFLT was successively evaluated for the entire annulus surface, for each quadrant, and for every 10 degree sector. RNFLT was calculated in retardation degrees. Differences in RNFLT were calculated by analysis of variance. RESULTS: When the entire RNFLT was considered, the measurements close to the optic nerve head (at 1.1 and 1.2 DD) were found to be significantly (0.05 < or = P < or = 0.01) different from those measured far from the disc (at 2.4 and 2.5 DD). The inferior quadrant had the greatest RNFLT followed by the superior quadrant. When RNFLT was analyzed for every 10 degrees, RNFLT at 1.1 and 1.2 DD was significantly (P < or = 0.001) different from that measured at 2.4 and 2.5 DD in almost all 36 sectors. In the 36 considered sectors, no significant difference was found for all the RNFLT values that were calculated in all the positions of the annulus surface between 1.1 and 1.7 DD. CONCLUSION: From these data, peripapillary RNFLT is shown to be significantly (P < or = 0.001) thinner in the periphery (2.5 DD) than around the optic disc (1.1 DD). However, the lack of any difference in RNFLT from 1.1 to 1.7 DD suggested that the mild variations to locate the optic disc contour line do not change the results of the analysis if the RNFLT is calculated within 1.8 DD.     

The effect of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis on retinal nerve fiber layer measurements obtained with scanning laser polarimetry

PURPOSE: Scanning laser polarimetry provides indirect measurements of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness by measuring the retardation of polarized laser light as it passes through the retinal nerve fiber layer. Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis is a refractive technique by which corneal stromal photoablation is achieved by the structural and refractive changes induced by the excimer laser. Both techniques are becoming widely performed and there is some evidence that scanning laser polarimetry measurements are significantly changed after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. The authors performed a larger study to determine whether laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis induces predictable and consistent alterations in the measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. METHODS: Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements using scanning laser polarimetry were performed 1 week before and 1 week after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis in 30 consecutive eyes (16 patients) undergoing the procedure at The Eye Institute. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was -4.66 +/- 2.40 D, mean ablation depth was 73.0 +/- 36.23 microm, and mean patient age was 40.6 +/- 8.7 years. Six of 12 retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements showed significant change (P < 0.05) after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. There was no correlation with corneal ablation depth (P > 0.05) for all parameters. CONCLUSION: Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis significantly affects retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements obtained by scanning laser polarimetry. Sequential images should be interpreted with caution and new postoperative baseline images should be obtained.     

GDx神经纤维厚度分析仪在正常中老年国人中的应用评价

目的 评价GDx神经纤维厚度分析仪在正常中老年国人中的检测意义。方法 采用GDx神经纤维厚度分析仪两种检测模式检测正常中老年国人的视网膜神经纤维层（RNFL）厚度。测量参数：TSNIT平均延迟、上方平均延迟、下方平均延迟、TSNIT标准差、神经纤维指数（NFI）。结果 VCC模式：5项参数分别为56.17±5.25,68.35±7.20,67.31±8.06,23.46±4.31,17.15±10.09。ECC模式：5项参数分别为54.15±5.12,67.28±8.33,67.91±8.70,25.80±3.72,18.88±10.51。两种模式参数检测结果均在正常范围,除下方平均延迟差异有统计学意义外其余4项参数之间的差异无统计学意义,所有检测参数指标与年龄均无统计学意义的相关性。结论 GDx神经纤维厚度分析仪对正常中老年国人RNFL厚度分布的测定结果符合生理解剖特点。VCC和ECC两种模式对检测正常中老年国人的RNFL厚度差异无统计学意义。     

Effect of corneal polarization axis on assessment of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness by scanning laser polarimetry

PURPOSE: Scanning laser polarimetry uses an anterior segment compensating device that assumes a fixed axis of corneal birefringence, which we call the corneal polarization axis. The purpose of this investigation was to establish the distribution of corneal polarization axes among a population of normal eyes and to evaluate the relationship between corneal polarization axis and posterior segment retardation. METHODS: We constructed a noninvasive slit lamp-mounted device incorporating two crossed linear polarizers and an optical retarder in order to measure the slow axis of corneal birefringence. Normal subjects underwent corneal polarization axis measurement. A subset of eyes underwent scanning laser polarimetry of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (n = 32) and macula (n = 29), and retardation measurements were evaluated in each group. RESULTS: One hundred eighteen eyes of 63 normal subjects (35 female, 28 male) underwent corneal polarization axis measurement (mean age, 45.5 +/- 17.1 years). Six eyes (5.1%) demonstrated unmeasurable corneal polarization. In the remaining 112 eyes, the mode of the corneal polarization axis distribution was 10 to 20 degrees nasally downward (range, 90 degrees nasally downward to 54 degrees nasally upward). A significant (P <.0001) correlation was observed between fellow eyes (R(2) =.52), with a mean difference of 11.2 +/- 10.5 degrees (range, 0-52 degrees). Corneal polarization axis was significantly associated (R(2) =.52-.84) with retinal nerve fiber layer and macula summary retardation parameters (average thickness, ellipse average, superior and inferior average, superior and total integral; P <.0001 for all groups). CONCLUSIONS: The mean corneal polarization axis among normal corneas is nasally downward; however, considerable intraindividual and interindividual variability exists. The linear relationship between corneal polarization axis and posterior segment retardation parameters is responsible, in part, for the wide distribution of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness data generated by scanning laser polarimetry.     

Relationship between visual field sensitivity and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness as measured by scanning laser polarimetry

PURPOSE: To evaluate the strength and pattern of the relationship between visual field (VF) sensitivity and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements by scanning laser polarimetry (SLP). METHODS: Fifty-four eyes of 54 normal subjects (age, 42 +/- 15 years; VF mean deviation [MD], -0.69 +/- 1.01 dB) and 51 eyes of 51 glaucoma patients (age, 66 +/- 14 years; VF MD, -6.92 +/- 5.43 dB) were imaged with an SLP using fixed corneal compensation (FCC) and variable corneal compensation (VCC). VF sensitivity was recorded in the dB and the 1/L scales. Linear and logarithmic relationships were sought globally and in six VF sectors. Relationships of VF and RNFL thickness with age were sought in normal subjects. RESULTS: Both VF sensitivity and RNFL thickness declined with age (as determined by the regression slope): -0.13% (P = 0.0005) and -0.64% (P = 0.0001) per year for dB and 1/L VF sensitivity, respectively, and -0.25% (P = 0.003) per year for VCC RNFL thickness. FCC RNFL thickness was not statistically significantly related to age. The relationship of VF sensitivity to VCC global (R(2) = 0.49) and sectoral (R(2) = 0.00-0.47) RNFL thickness was greater than for FCC global (R(2) = 0.12) and sectoral (R(2) = 0.00-0.21) RNFL thickness. Relationships were curvilinear with the dB scale, with logarithmic regression of dB VF sensitivity against RNFL thickness being significantly better than linear regression. Logarithmic regression of 1/L VF sensitivity against RNFL thickness was no better than linear regression for all sectors. There was no relationship between VF sensitivity and RNFL thickness in the temporal peripapillary RNFL sector. CONCLUSIONS: The strength of the structure/function relationships compare well with previous reports in the literature. The relationships were curvilinear with the dB scale and linear with the 1/L scale, and were much stronger with VCC than with FCC RNFL thickness measurements.     

Comparing measurements of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness obtained on scanning laser polarimetry with fixed and variable corneal compensator

PURPOSE: To compare retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements obtained on scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) with commercially available instruments coupled with fixed (FCC) and variable corneal compensator (VCC). METHODS: Forty-two eyes of 42 patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic evaluation and achromatic automated perimetry (24-2 program, SITA standard strategy). Nineteen eyes were healthy (average mean deviation: -0.12 dB +/- 2.26) and 23 glaucomatous (average mean deviation: -4.92 dB +/- 6.49). All patients underwent SLP with both FCC and VCC. Adequate compensation of corneal birefringence on FCC-SLP was checked acquiring macular retardation map (MRM). RNFL thickness was evaluated considering superior and inferior maximum (SM, IM), average thickness and ellipse average (AT, EA), and superior and inferior average (SA, IA). Mean values (+/-SD) for each parameter measured by the two polarimeters were compared and linear regression calculated. The ability of each parameter to discriminate between normal and glaucomatous eyes was evaluated on both polarimeters calculating area under ROC curve. RESULTS: A significant linear correlation for all parameters was noted (r range: 0.65-0.78). VCC produced slightly higher thickness values than FCC, both in normal and glaucomatous eyes. On both polarimeters, area under ROC curve for all parameters discriminated adequately healthy from glaucomatous eyes (range: 0.68-0.81). CONCLUSIONS: In a highly comparable and selected group of normal and glaucomatous eyes, FCC-SLP and VCC-SLP showed considerable concordance in measuring peripapillary RNFL thickness, both for sectorial and global parameters. Proper corneal birefringence compensation provided separation of normal from glaucomatous eyes on both polarimeters.