Scanning laser ophthalmoscopic parameters of eyes with exfoliation syndrome

Purpose

To evaluate optic nerve head (ONH) characteristics in patients with exfoliation syndrome (EXS).

Methods

This was a cross-sectional, observational study in which 73 eyes from 73 patients with EXS and 93 eyes from 93 age-matched healthy subjects who met the inclusion criteria were included. Topographic measurements of the ONH and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness were performed by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, using a Heidelberg retina tomograph. Outcomes of interest were studied by Student t test and χ-squared test.

Results

EXS patients and age-matched controls did not differ in ONH parameters. Nevertheless, the mean cup depth and height variation contour values were higher in the normal subjects (P = 0.07, P = 0.056, respectively). Mean RNFL thickness was 0.22 ± 0.06 mm in the EXS group and 0.26 ± 0.06 mm in the control group, (P = 0.001). Likewise, the RNFL cross-sectional area was significantly lower in exfoliative eyes (1.16 ± 0.35 mm²) than in those of the control group (1.31 ± 0.33 mm²) (P = 0.006).

Conclusions

No significant differences in ONH parameters between EXS patients and age-matched healthy subjects were observed; however, RNFL measurements in eyes with EXS showed lower values.