Optic disc morphometry correlated with confocal laser scanning Doppler flowmetry measurements in normal-pressure glaucoma

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between morphologic optic disc parameters and hemodynamic parameters as measured by confocal laser scanning Doppler flowmetry in patients with normal-pressure glaucoma. METHODS: The study included 91 eyes of 54 patients with normal-pressure glaucoma (mean age: 57.7 +/- 9.8 years), and 136 eyes of 77 age-adjusted normal controls. Color stereo optic disc photographs were morphometrically examined, and confocal laser scanning flowmetry (Heidelberg Retinal Flowmeter) in the neuroretinal rim inside of the optic disc, and in the retina close to the temporal and nasal border of the optic nerve head was performed. RESULTS: Mean confocal laser scanning flowmetric measurements in the neuroretinal rim, temporal parapapillary retina, and nasal parapapillary retina were significantly (P<0.03) lower in the normal-pressure glaucoma group than in the age-adjusted control group. Correspondingly, mean confocal laser scanning flowmetric measurements within the neuroretinal rim decreased significantly, with relatively low correlation coefficients, decreasing neuroretinal rim area (P = 0.016; correlation coefficient r2 = 0.026), and increasing mean visual field defect (P = 0.011; r2 = 0.029). Measurements were statistically independent of alpha zone (P = 0.38; r2 = 0.004) and beta zone (P = 0.57; r2 = 0.002) of parapapillary atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Confocal laser scanning flowmetric measurements within the neuroretinal rim were lower in eyes with normal-pressure glaucoma than in age-matched normal eyes. Confocal laser scanning flowmetric measurements decrease with increasing glaucomatous optic nerve damage. There is, however, a marked variability preventing a clear relationship between stage of glaucoma and decrease in confocal laser scanning flowmetric measurements. The correlation between parapapillary atrophy and confocal laser scanning flowmetric measurements is not statistically significant in normal-pressure glaucoma.     

Morphological and functional differences between normal‐tension and high‐tension glaucoma

Purpose: To compare visual field (VF) and nerve fibre loss in patients with normal‐tension (NTG) and high‐tension glaucoma (HTG) at an equal level of glaucomatous structural damage of the optic nerve head (ONH). Methods: In a retrospective, pair‐matched, comparative study, 126 eyes with NTG and 126 eyes with HTG were matched according to the same glaucomatous ONH damage based on rim volume, rim area and disc size measured by the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT III). Visual field by Humphrey perimetry and nerve fibre layer thickness measured by scanning laser polarimetry (GdxVCC) were compared between both groups. Results: Based on the HRT, NTG and HTG displayed comparable structural damage of the ONH without a statistically significant difference between both groups (mean, NTG/HTG: disc area 2.32/2.32 mm², p =0.342; rim area 1.03/1.00 mm², p = 0.279; rim volume 0.2/0.19 mm³; p = 0.274). Eyes with NTG had significantly less VF damage than eyes with HTG (mean, NTG/HTG: mean deviation (MD) ?3.69/?9.77 dB, p = 0.0001; pattern standard deviation (PSD) 4.80/7.17 dB, p = 0.0001). The nerve fibre layer of NTG patients was thicker than that of HTG patients (mean, NTG/HTG: GDx total: 46.9/44.0 μm, p = 0.073; GDx superior: 57.2/49.9 μm, p = 0.0001; GDx inferior: 54.9/49.7 μm, p = 0.001). Conclusions: At an equal level of glaucomatous structural damage of the ONH indicated by cupping, rim area and rim volume, NTG patients seem to have a less affected visual field and a better preserved nerve fibre layer than HTG patients.     

Visual field defect and perfusion of the juxtapapillary retina and the neuroretinal rim area in primary open-angle glaucoma

• Background: At this time little information is available about the relationship between glaucomatous visual field defects and impaired blood flow in the optic nerve head. The purpose of this study was to examine blood flow of the juxtapapillary retina and the rim area of the optic nerve head in primary open-angle glaucoma with a borderline visual defect. • Methods: Juxtapapillary retinal and neuroretinal rim area blood flow was measured by scanning laser Doppler flowmetry (SLDF). The visual field was evaluated by static perimetry (Octopus-G1). The optic nerve head was assessed on 15° color stereo photographs. We examined 116 eyes of 91 patients with POAG with controlled IOP and 66 eyes of 44 healthy individuals. The POAG group was divided into eyes with a mean defect lower than 2 dB (POAG group I) and in eyes with a mean defect equal to or greater than 2 dB (POAG group II). The mean age of POAG group I and POAG group II was 55±11 years and 57±10 years, respectively. The mean age of the control group was 45±15 years. The eyes of POAG group I had an average C/D ratio of 0.71±0.18 with an average mean defect of the visual field of 0.97±0.68 dB; the eyes of POAG group II had an average C/D ratio of 0.80±0.17 with an average mean defect of the visual field of 8.2±6.0 dB. The intraocular pressure on the day of measurement in POAG group I was 18.2±3.7 mmHg, in POAG group II 17.6±4.0 mmHg, and in the control group 15.1±2.5 mmHg. For statistical analysis, age-matched groups of 32 normal eyes of 32 subjects (mean age 52±10 years) were compared to 18 glaucomatous eyes of 18 patients (POAG group I, mean age 55±11 years) and 59 glaucomatous eyes of 59 patients (POAG group II, mean age 55±10 years). • Results: In the eyes of POAG group I and POAG group II, both juxtapapillary retinal blood flow and neuroretinal rim area blood flow were significantly decreased compared to an age-matched control group: neuroretinal rim area “flow” POAG group I −65%, POAG group II −66%; juxtapapillary retina “flow” POAG group I −52%, POAG group II −44%. All eyes of the POAG group I (MD<2 dB) and 56 of 61 eyes of the POAG group II (MD>=2 dB) showed a retinal perfusion lower than the 90% percentile of normal blood flow. We found no correlation between reduction of juxtapapillary or papillary blood flow and mean defect in POAG eyes. • Conclusion: Glaucomatous eyes with no defects or borderline visual field defects as well as glaucomatous eyes in an advanced disease stage show significantly decreased optic nerve head and juxtapapillary retinal capillary blood flow. Received: 2 December 1996 Revised version received: 7 February 1997 Accepted: 27 March 1997     

Morphology of the optic papilla in glaucoma. II. Secondary chronic open angle glaucoma

Previous studies have shown that the chronic open-angle glaucomas form a heterogeneous spectrum of diseases which have in common an open anterior chamber angle and glaucomatous optic nerve damage. Purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the appearance of the optic disc shows specific features among various types of secondary chronic open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: Clinical data and color-stereo optic disc photographs of 126 patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma and 47 patients with pigmentary glaucoma were compared with those of 501 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and of 481 normal subjects. The glaucoma groups did not differ in neuroretinal rim nor in perimetric mean defect. RESULTS: Mean optic disc area was significantly smaller in the pseudoexfoliative glaucoma eyes (2.54 +/- 0.51 mm2 vs. 2.71 +/- 0.63 mm2, p = 0.03) than in the primary open-angle glaucoma eyes. The pigmentary glaucoma group did not vary significantly from the primary open-angle glaucoma group in size of the optic disc. No significant differences were found for neuroretinal rim area, configuration of neuroretinal rim, depth of optic cup and diameters of the retinal arterioles and venules at the disc border between the secondary glaucoma groups and the POAG group respectively. Size of zone beta of the parapapillary atrophy was slightly, but not significantly smaller in the secondary glaucoma groups than in POAG. In the secondary glaucoma groups, the maximal intraocular pressure measurements were significantly (p < 0.001) higher than in the group with POAG. All glaucoma groups had a significantly smaller neuroretinal rim, significantly smaller retinal arterioles, and significantly larger parapapillary atrophy compared to the normal group. CONCLUSIONS: Except of a slightly smaller optic disc in eyes with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, eyes with secondary glaucoma due to pseudoexfoliation or due to pigmentary dispersion do not vary significantly in their optic disc morphology compared to POAG and do not show pathognomonic features of the optic disc despite marked changes in the anterior segment of the eye.     

Decreased blood flow at neuroretinal rim of optic nerve head corresponds with visual field deficit in eyes with normal tension glaucoma

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between the blood flow parameters of the optic disc rim and the glaucomatous visual field changes. DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional study. METHODS: Tissue blood flow in the neuroretinal rim within the optic disc was determined with the Heidelberg retina flowmeter(HRF) in 54 eyes of 54 patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Patients were selected whose visual field defects were confined to either the superior or inferior hemifield. Blood flow measurements were made in a 10 degrees x 2.5 degrees area of the superior and inferior neuroretinal rim within the optic disc. The mean blood flow (MBF) was calculated by the automatic full-field perfusion image analyzer program, and the ratio of the MBF in the superior to the inferior rim areas (the S/I ratio) was calculated from the same HRF image in order to minimize the variation of measurement condition. RESULTS: Inferior rim blood flow is less than superior rim blood flow in patients with superior hemifield defect, and superior rim blood flow is reduced compared to inferior in patients with inferior hemifield defect. The mean S/I ratios of the MBF in the patients with superior hemifield defect (1.46, n=37) was significantly higher than that in the patients with inferior hemifield defect (0.79, n=17; P<0.0001, Mann-Whitney U-test). CONCLUSIONS: The blood flow in the neuroretinal rim was found to correspond to the regional visual field defect in eyes with NTG. Reductions in flow were associated with reductions in function.     

Comparison of detectability of visual field abnormality by frequency doubling technology in primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of frequency doubling technology(FDT) in detecting abnormalities in primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG) and normal-tension glaucoma(NTG). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine POAG patients (29 eyes) and 27 NTG-patients(27 eyes) were studied. All subjects underwent testing with program C-20 of FDT with appropriate corrective lenses. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the two groups in mean age, mean deviation(MD), and pattern standard deviation(PSD) measured by the Humphrey Field Analyzer(HFA). The correlation between MD values determined by HFA(x) and FDT(y) is represented by y = 0.60x - 2.7 (r = 0.78, p < 0.01) in the POAG group and y = 0.59x + 0.6 (r = 0.81, p < 0.001) in the NTG group. No significant difference was found in the average PSD between the two groups. In early glaucoma cases (MD > or = -5 dB by HFA), a larger proportion of cases in the POAG group than the NTG group had a lower significance level of MD determined by FDT than by HFA (p < 0.02). At many test points on the temporal periphery in FDT the mean sensitivity was lower in the POAG group than in the NTG group; whereas no significant differences among HFA test points were observed. CONCLUSIONS: FDT detected visual field abnormalities in POAG cases more sensitively than in NTG cases. This finding indicates that the pathogenesis of My-cell damage is different in POAG and NTG.     

Absolute filling defects of the optic disc in fluorescein angiograms in glaucoma--a retrospective clinical study

BACKGROUND: Analysis of clinical importance of the size of filling defects in fluorescein angiograms in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), ocular hypertension and subjects with physiological excavations in comparison to visual field loss, optic nerve head morphology and hemodynamics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 75 patients (POAG, NTG, ocular hypertension) and 10 healthy subjects with physiological excavations were included in this study. In digitized video fluorescein angiograms (Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope) the size of absolute filling defects of the optic disc was quantified in the early venous phase and expressed by percentage of the optic disc. Visual fields were obtained by conventional static perimetry (Humphrey 24-2) and graded in stages of glaucoma visual field defects (Aulhorn I-V). Optic disc excavations were evaluated as cup-to-disc-area-ratios. RESULTS: The filling defects correlated with the visual-field loss stages of Aulhorn and the visual field indices MD (mean deviation), PSD (pattern standard deviation) and CPSD (corrected pattern standard deviation). There was no correlation with the index SF (short-term fluctuation) and with systemic hemodynamics (blood pressure, perfusion pressure) or the IOP. Absolute filling defects correlated with the cup-to-disc-area-ratio in NTG. The absolute filling defects were larger in patients with glaucoma (POAG, NTG) in comparison to patients without glaucomatous visual field loss (ocular hypertension, glaucoma-like discs). No difference of filling defects was found in the glaucoma group (POAG, NTG). Patients with NTG had larger excavations and lower systolic blood pressures than patients with POAG. CONCLUSION: The size of fluorescein filling defects may be useful as a parameter for the evaluation of an ischemic lesion of the optic nerve head. Absolute filling defects may differentiate POAG from ocular hypertension and NTG from glaucoma-like discs without field defects. The results support the hypothesis that in POAG and NTG disturbances of the circulation result in similar filling defects of the optic disc and visual field loss.     

Iris colour, optic disc dimensions, degree and progression of glaucomatous optic nerve damage

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether iris colour influences size and shape of the optic nerve head and risk for glaucoma progression. METHODS: The hospital-based observational study included 1973 eyes of 1012 Caucasian subjects with ocular hypertension or chronic open-angle glaucoma. For all patients, colour stereo optic disc photographs were evaluated, and corneal pachymetry and achromatic perimetry were performed. Main outcome measures were optic nerve head parameters, the development or progression of visual field defects and iris colour. RESULTS: In most of the study groups, size of the optic disc, neuroretinal rim, alpha zone and beta zone of parapapillary atrophy, retinal vessel diameter and central corneal thickness did not differ significantly between eyes with blue, green, brown and mixed iris colour. In the normal-pressure glaucoma group, neuroretinal rim area was smallest in the population with mixed-coloured eyes and largest in the group of eyes with brown irides (P = 0.001 after correction for inter-eye dependency and multiple testing). For the ocular hypertensive subjects and glaucoma patients with follow-up examinations, the rate of development or progression of glaucomatous visual field loss was not significantly associated with iris colour (P = 0.060). CONCLUSIONS: In Caucasian subjects, iris colour does not have a major association with the size of the optic nerve head structures, central corneal thickness and retinal arterial diameter. In Caucasian patients with ocular hypertension or chronic open-angle glaucoma, an influence of iris colour on the risk for development or progression of glaucomatous visual field defects could not be confirmed.     

Papillary blood flow and morphological parameters of the optic nerve head in patients with normal tension glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma and in healthy volunteers

The aim of the present study was to compare selected morphological parameters of the optic nerve head and papillary blood flow in patients with NTG, POAG and in healthy volunteers, as well as to find any possible correlation between selected morphological parameters and papillary blood flow. 21 glaucomatous and 31 normal eyes were diagnosed using HRT and HRF. Statistically significant differences within many morphological parameters like cup area, cup to disc, cup shape measure, rim volume, RFNL thickness, RFNL cross section and neuroretinal rim blood flow appeared. Nevertheless, in glaucoma patients no statistically significant differences between morphology and flow were found. The conclusion is that blood flow impairment within the neuroretinal rim is connected with glaucoma neuropathy development, nevertheless it is affected by other factors.     

Topography and fluorescein angiography of the optic nerve head in primary open-angle and chronic primary angle closure glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to correlate optic nerve head topography with fluorescein angiography of the optic nerve head in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), chronic primary angle closure glaucoma (CPACG), and normal controls. METHODS: This was an institution-based, cross-sectional, case-control study of 30 consecutive patients each with POAG or CPACG, which were compared with 30 age- and sex-matched controls. The fluorescein angiograms undertaken in one eye of each of the 90 subjects were then analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS: The mean age of controls (group 1) was 51.73 +/- 9.6 years, patients with CPACG (group II) was 53.26 +/- 9.5 years, and patients with POAG (group III) was 54.5 +/- 10.4 years. The mean deviation and corrected pattern standard deviation on Humphrey visual field analyzer, respectively, were -1.51 +/- 2.01 dB and 2.09 +/- 1.04 dB the in control group, -9.4 +/- 9.3 dB and 5.32 +/- 4.02 dB in the CPACG group, and -11.27 +/- 7.7 dB and 7.57 +/- 5.34 dB in the POAG group. There was no significant difference in the disc areas between the three groups (analysis of variance [ANOVA], p = 0.157). All circulatory parameters were delayed in both glaucoma groups compared with controls with the disc filling time (ANOVA, p = 0.001) and the choroidal filling time being significantly delayed (ANOVA, p = 0.006). The Moorfield regression analysis showed good correlation with the pattern of disc fluorescence in all quadrants in cases of CPACG and POAG. CONCLUSION: The optic nerve head and choroidal circulation was delayed in both patients with POAG and those with CPACG, which correlates with loss of neuroretinal rim and retinal nerve fiber layer on the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II (HRT). Patients with POAG showed diffuse damage with significant rim loss, whereas patients with CPACG showed marked sectorial abnormalities (superotemporal and the inferior-temporal) on fluorescein angiography and HRT. One possible reason for this discrepancy could be sectorial ischemia occurring in cases of CPACG as a result of a sudden rise of intraocular pressure causing disc and visual field damage.     

OCTA观察高度近视眼ICL植入术后视网膜血流密度的变化

目的：利用光学相干断层扫描血管成像技术（OCTA）观察高度近视眼行有晶状体眼后房型人工晶状 体（ICL）植入术对黄斑区视网膜血流密度、视网膜厚度的影响。方法：前瞻性临床研究。选取2019年 12月至2020年5月于南京医科大学附属眼科医院行ICL植入术的高度近视患者25例（43眼）,术眼 等效球镜度（SE）>-6.00 D。观察患者术前,术后1周、1个月、3个月的视力、眼压、拱高及黄斑区 视网膜血流密度、视网膜厚度的变化。数据采用方差分析进行统计分析。结果：患者手术前后各时 间点裸眼视力和最佳矫正视力总体差异均有统计学意义（F=500.975,P<0.001;F=16.032,P<0.001）, 术后各时间点指标均较术前明显提高（均P<0.001）。术后各时间点黄斑中心凹无血管区（FAZ）面积 均较术前减少（均P<0.001）,术后黄斑中心凹视网膜厚度（CRT）无明显改变。患者手术前后黄斑中 心凹、黄斑旁中心凹、颞侧、上方、鼻侧及下方各区域浅层视网膜血流密度差异均无统计学意义。 与术前相比,术后1周、1个月、3个月黄斑中心凹、颞侧、上方及下方各区域深层视网膜血流密度差 异均无统计学意义,而术后黄斑旁中心凹、鼻侧深层视网膜血流密度较术前均有所降低（均P<0.05）。 结论：OCTA观察显示高度近视眼行ICL植入术对鼻侧深层视网膜血流密度有影响,同时FAZ面积降 低,但对其余视网膜血流密度及视网膜厚度无影响。     

OCTA评估高度近视合并原发性开角型青光眼血管密度与视野缺损的相关性

目的：评估高度近视（HM）合并原发性开角型青光眼（POAG）血管密度及视盘形态学特点,分析血 管密度与视野缺损的相关性。方法：横断面研究。连续选取2019年3─12月就诊于长沙爱尔眼科 医院的HM合并POAG患者24例（44眼）,按视野平均偏差（MD）值将其分为早期POAG组（13例, 20眼）和中晚期POAG组（15例,24眼）,同时选取单纯HM 37例（50眼）作为对照组。所有患者均使用 光学相干断层扫描血管成像（OCTA）测量视盘和黄斑血管密度及结构参数,眼底照相计算视盘椭圆 度并行视野检查。单因素方差分析比较各组间血管密度、结构及视野参数的差异性,采用Pearson 或Spearman相关分析各指标与MD及视盘椭圆度的相关性。结果：与对照组相比,HM合并POAG 视盘旁毛细血管密度、中心凹深层血管密度及旁中心凹浅层血管密度降低（F=86.340、18.620、 42.757,均P<0.001）,并随病程的进展而加重。早期POAG组与对照组视盘椭圆度差异无统计学意 义（P=0.077）,中晚期POAG组视盘椭圆度小于对照组和早期POAG组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.001, P=0.028）。与MD相关性最高的参数是平均视网膜神经纤维层（RNFL）厚度（r=0.782,P<0.001）, 其次是平均神经节细胞层（GCC）厚度（r=0.621,P<0.001）、旁中心凹浅层毛细血管密度（r=0.621, P<0.001）、视盘旁毛细血管密度（r=0.599,P<0.001）、中心凹深层毛细血管密度（r=0.420,P=0.002）。 视盘椭圆度与视盘旁毛细血管密度（r=0.318,P=0.002）、视盘面积（r=0.405,P<0.001）、平均RNFL 厚度（r=0.476,P<0.001）、平均GCC厚度（r=0.375,P<0.001）呈正相关。结论：HM合并POAG血管 密度的降低与视野缺损的相关性低于平均RNFL及GCC厚度,视盘椭圆度与血管密度的降低及结构 损伤存在相关性。OCTA可用于HM合并POAG的早期诊断。     

Retinal mean transit time in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma

PURPOSE: To compare the mean transit time (MTT) of retinal circulation in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and eyes with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and examine the possible relationship between MTT and visual field damage, expressed as mean deviation (MD). METHODS: Video fluorescein angiography was performed in 40 patients with POAG or NTG. Dye curves for fluorescein passing through the retinal arteries and veins were used to calculate MTT in each patient with a computer-assisted technique based on an impulse-response analysis (MTT(IR)). RESULTS: We were able to analyse MTT(IR) in all 40 angiograms. Mean (SD) MTT(IR) was 5.0 (1.5) seconds in eyes with POAG and 4.7 (1.4) seconds in eyes with NTG. The difference was not statistically significant. There was a weak but significant correlation between the MD and MTT(IR) (MTT(IR) = 4.12-0.08*MD; r = -0.49, p = 0.0013). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that loss of neuronal tissue in glaucoma is combined with an effect on the retinal circulation and that the effect is similar in eyes with NTG and eyes with POAG.     

Optic cup deepening spatially correlated with optic nerve damage in focal normal-pressure glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether deepening of the optic cup in patients with focal normal-pressure glaucoma is correlated with the location of most marked loss of neuroretinal rim and visual field. METHODS: Using morphometric evaluation of color stereo optic disc photographs of 102 eyes of 65 patients with focal normal-pressure glaucoma, the superior half of the optic disc was compared with the inferior half. RESULTS: In eyes in which the optic cup was deepest in the inferior half of the disc, the most pronounced rim loss was located inferiorly significantly more often than superiorly, and the most marked visual field loss was located superiorly significantly more often than inferiorly. In eyes in which the optic cup was deepest in the superior half of the disc, the most pronounced rim loss was located superiorly significantly more often than inferiorly, and the most marked visual field loss was located inferiorly significantly more often than superiorly. Correspondingly, in eyes in which the most marked rim loss was located inferiorly, the deepest optic cup part was located inferiorly significantly more often than superiorly, and vice versa. CONCLUSION: In focal normal-pressure glaucoma, location of the most marked deepening of the optic cup is spatially correlated with the location of most pronounced neuroretinal rim loss and visual field damage. Because high-pressure glaucoma is typically associated with optic cup deepening and vascular optic nerve damage is associated with optic cup flattening, the spatial correlation between focal optic nerve damage and focal cup deepening may suggest the presence of a pathogenetic aspect in both high-pressure glaucoma and focal normal-pressure glaucoma.     

Small neuroretinal rim and large parapapillary atrophy as predictive factors for progression of glaucomatous optic neuropathy

PURPOSE: To evaluate which morphologic features of the optic disc are predictive factors for progressive neuroretinal rim loss in chronic open-angle glaucoma. DESIGN: Prospective, observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 394 eyes of 257 white patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma. Mean follow-up time was 31.8 months (median, 39.7 months). Progression of glaucoma was defined as loss of neuroretinal rim as detected by disc photographs. Presence of optic disc hemorrhages was not taken into account. METHODS: All patients underwent repeated qualitative and morphometric evaluation of color stereo optic disc photographs. Statistical analysis included Kaplan-Meier curves, and bivariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for patients' ages. Dependency of left and right eyes from the same subject was taken into account. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Qualitative and quantitative morphologic optic nerve head parameters. RESULTS: Progression of glaucomatous optic nerve changes was detected in 42 eyes (11%). At baseline of the study, neuroretinal rim area (total area, P = 0.03) was significantly smaller, and beta zone of parapapillary atrophy (total area, P = 0.04) was significantly larger in the progressive study group compared with the nonprogressive study group. Neither study group varied significantly in size and shape of the optic disc, optic cup depth, alpha zone of parapapillary atrophy, and diameter of the retinal arteries and veins (P > 0.05). Multiple Cox regression analysis revealed that the progression of glaucoma depended significantly on the area of the neuroretinal rim (temporal sector, P = 0.003) and beta zone of parapapillary atrophy (temporal inferior sector, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Important morphologic predictive factors for progression of the glaucomatous appearance of the optic nerve head in white persons are small size of neuroretinal rim and large area of beta zone of parapapillary atrophy. Progression of glaucomatous optic nerve head changes is independent of size and shape of the optic disc, size of alpha zone of parapapillary atrophy, retinal vessel diameter, and optic cup depth.     

Measuring the optic papilla with planimetry and the optic nerve head analyzer in glaucoma and suspected glaucoma. II. Correlations of the results of both methods with changes in the visual field, studied with the Octopus automatic perimeter

Sixty-seven optic nerve heads of 40 patients with proven or suspected glaucoma were measured by planimetry and with the Rodenstock Optic Nerve Head Analyser (ONHA). The results were compared to visual field indices obtained with the Octopus program G-1. Good correlation of the results obtained by the two measurement procedures has been shown (Stürmer et al. 1989), between values for the disk area, the excavation area, and the cup/disk ratio. However, there is only weak correlation of values for the neuroretinal rim. The planimetrically measured neuroretinal rim area in the total population examined proved to be significantly correlated only with the visual field index for mean retinal sensitivity (MS; r2 = 0.106; P = 0.007) and short-term fluctuations (SF; r2 = 0.066; P = 0.036). After division of the population examined into different diagnostic groups, further statistically significant correlations between optic nerve head parameters and the various visual field indices were shown; here, the cup/disk ratio of both measurement procedures in two subgroups showed the best correlation with the visual field indices MS and mean defect (MD). Neither in the total population nor in any of the subgroups was a statistically significant correlation found between the volume of the excavation and one of the visual field indices. Comparing only the data for the temporal quadrant of the optic nerve head with the visual field did not improve the correlations. The best, i.e. highly significant, correlations were between optic nerve head parameters and the age of the patient. The correlation factors are much lower than other published data. A variety of factors could be responsible for these weak correlations: different optic nerve head configurations on the one hand, and localized or diffuse visual field defects on the other. In unselected cases it appears impossible to predict the visual field of a given optic nerve head. Both methods are suitable for follow-up, but not all anatomical configuration of the optic nerve head permit this.     

Optic disc topography as measured by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and visual field loss in Japanese patients with primary open-angle or normal-tension glaucoma

PURPOSE: To determine whether differences in the optic disc topography and those in the relation between the optic disc topography and visual field indices exist between Japanese patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS: The study included consecutive Japanese patients with POAG (n = 60) or NTG (n = 60). Using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT), we measured disc area, cup area, cup-to-disc area ratio, rim area, cup volume, rim volume, cup shape measure, and height variation contour. Each HRT parameter was measured in the total optic disc and in its four 90 degree quadrants (superior, temporal, inferior, and nasal). The mean deviation for the entire field and the sum of the total deviation values corresponding to each optic disc quadrant were calculated using the Humphrey full-threshold 30-2 program. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the POAG and NTG groups for any HRT parameter either globally or regionally. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the correlation coefficients between any HRT parameter and the corresponding visual field indices either globally or regionally. CONCLUSION: No significant differences were apparent between Japanese patients with POAG and NTG both in the optic disc parameters as measured by HRT and in the degree of correlation between HRT parameter and the corresponding visual field indices.     

Quantification of optic nerve head topography in optic neuritis: a pilot study

AIMS: To investigate optic nerve head topography in patients with optic neuritis compared to controls using the Heidelberg retina tomograph-II (HRT-II) and to determine if detected changes are related to visual function and electrophysiology. METHODS: 25 patients with a previous single episode of unilateral optic neuritis and 15 controls were studied with HRT-II, visual evoked potentials, and pattern electroretinogram. Patients also had testing of visual acuity, visual field, and colour vision. RESULTS: In affected eyes compared to fellow eyes, there was reduction of both the mean retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness at the disc edge (p = 0.009) and the neuroretinal rim volume (p = 0.04). In affected eyes compared to control eyes, the three dimensional optic cup shape measure was increased (p = 0.01), indicative of an abnormal cup shape. There were no other significant differences in HRT-II measures. Within patient interocular difference correlation was used to investigate the functional relevance of these changes and demonstrated associations between RNFL thickness change and changes in visual acuity, visual field, and colour vision. Colour vision change was also associated with change in neuroretinal rim volume. CONCLUSIONS: HRT detects functionally relevant changes in RNFL thickness and neuroretinal rim volume between eyes affected by optic neuritis and unaffected fellow eyes.     

Parapapillary autofluorescence as indicator for glaucoma

BACKGROUND: A pronounced fundus autofluorescence (lipofuscin) occurs in eyes with AMD. Parapapillary lipofuscin accumulation in the retinal pigment epithelial cells was observed in eyes with advanced glaucoma histologically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the parapapillary autofluorescence (PAF) in vivo in healthy eyes (controls), and in eyes with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PSXG) or normal tension glaucoma (NTG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Controlled cross-sectional analysis was performed on 281 consecutive eyes (98 controls, 95 POAG, 32 PSXG, 56 NTG). Eyes with fundus pathologies were excluded. The confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope HRA II (Heidelberg Retina Angiograph II) was used after lipofuscin-excitation with an argon blue laser (488 nm) to detect PAF in the spectrum above 500 nm. PAF area and PAF distance to the optic nerve head were analyzed using the HRA standard software. Two experienced ophthalmologists classified independently the stage of glaucomatous optic nerve head atrophy (GONHA) using 15 degrees fundus photographs. RESULTS: Vital optic nerve heads had smaller PAF areas (stage 0: 0.07 +/- 0.09 mm (2)) in contrast to advanced stages of GONHA (stages 1 to 4: 0.27 +/- 0.46 mm (2); p < 0.001; logistic regression Cox and Snell: r = 0.7; p = 0.015). The PAF distance to the optic nerve head was lower in controls (0.12 +/- 0.08 mm) than in eyes with POAG, PSXG, or NTG (0.25 +/- 0.21 mm, Bonferroni: p < 0,004). The PAF area correlated significantly with the stage of GONHA (stage 1: 0.23 +/- 0.23 mm (2), stage 2: 0.24 +/- 0.19 mm (2), stages 3 and 4: 0.34 +/- 0.73 mm (2), p < 0.01). No significant difference of PAF area was found between the glaucoma types. However, the distance between PAF and optic nerve head was higher in POAG (0.28 +/- 0.26 mm) than in NTG (0.24 +/- 0.07 mm) or in PSXG (0.18 +/- 0.07 mm, Bonferroni: p < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: A pronounced fundus autofluorescence was detected as a sign of increased lipofuscin accumulation in the parapapillary atrophic zone of eyes with POAG, PSXG, and NTG in contrast to controls. The PAF analysis may provide an indicator for glaucomas in the future.     

Optic disc cup slope and visual field indices in normal, ocular hypertensive and early glaucomatous eyes

AIM: To evaluate the correlation between internal slope analysis of the optic nerve head and visual field changes in normal eyes and those with ocular hypertension (OHT) and early glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: One eye of each of 22 normal subjects, 21 patients with ocular hypertension, and 50 patients with glaucoma were examined using the TopSS scanning laser ophthalmoscope. A series of topographic parameters measuring the internal features of the optic discs of these patients were obtained. These findings were compared with the Humphrey visual field analysis of these patients. RESULTS: Global topographic average slope and cup to disc ratio could discriminate between groups of normal and OHT patients (p = 0.02). All global and sector analysis parameters could discriminate normal subjects from POAG patients. The average slope parameter provided the best separation with a receiver operating characteristic curve area of 0.88. Visual field mean deviation (MD) was most closely correlated with global average slope (r = -0.60, p<10(-7)) and cup to disc ratio (r = -0.40, p<0.001). Visual field MD was also well correlated (r = -0.50, p<0.0001) with slope parameters for sectors S8, S2, and S1. CONCLUSION: Average slope, a parameter independent of reference planes and magnification effects, is capable of discriminating groups of OHT and POAG patients from a group of normal subjects. This topographic parameter is also well correlated with the visual field MD. Sector slope analysis suggests early glaucomatous damage may occur in the inferotemporal region of the optic disc.