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Abstract #18501 Published in IGR 3-3
Comparison of RNFL and perimetry data in healthy subjects and glaucoma patients without visual field defects
Klemm M; Rumberger E; Schwartz R; Knospe VSpektrum der Augenheilkunde 2001; 15: 181-184
BACKGROUND: Throughout the course of glaucoma, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) decreases and visual field defects increase. New techniques allow RNFL thickness to be measured. This study was performed to see if retinal nerve fiber layer thinning precedes measurably visual field defects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: RNFL thickness of 45 glaucoma patients without visual field defects was compared to the RNFL thickness of healthy subjects. The measurements were performed using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT), Nerve Fiber Analyzer (NFA), and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Measurements of the RNFL thickness were located upon a circumference of the optic nerve head. RNFL evaluation followed subdivision into superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal parts of the circumference. Automated perimetry was carried out with the Humphrey Field Analyzer. RESULTS: There was no difference between healthy subjects and glaucoma patients concerning the results of the mean deviation obtained by perimetry. In contrast, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between both groups regarding RNFL data measured by HRT (mean RNFL thickness 323 and 268 μm), by NFA (88 and 79 μm) and by OCT (93 and 86 μm) with regard to the inferior region. Similar results with the NFA and OCT methods were seen in the superior region. DISCUSSION: These results confirm the assumption that diagnosis of glaucoma can be obtained earlier with the new techniques than with perimetry. It is important to mention is that the compared data are mean values. So, no decisions can yet be made for individual cases. Long-term follow-up studies are necessary for the comparison of changes in RNFL thickness and in perimetry throughout the development of glaucoma. LA: German
Dr M. Klemm, Universitätsaugenklinik Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany. klemm@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Classification:
2.13 Retina and retinal nerve fibre layer (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)