advertisement
Abstract #21109 Published in IGR 10-2
Importance of assessing optic disc size for accurate diagnosis of glaucoma
Wakakura MNeuro-Ophthalmology Japan 2007; 24: 405-413
Since normal tension glaucoma has become widely accepted, optic disc findings are increasingly an essential part when it comes to making the diagnosis of glaucoma. Nevertheless, in previous reports, objective assessments of the optic disc have proven to be very difficult to perform, as the disc morphology varies between individuals. Heidelberg retina tomography (HRT) is a revolutionary new technique that is used to quantitatively assess the disc. However, even when using this technique, the reliability of the diagnosis depends upon the size of the disc. An increasing source of confusion when trying to diagnose glaucoma is caused by other conditions such as optic disc dysplasia, which includes optic nerve hypoplasia, high myopic disc and tilted disc. Optic nerve hypoplasia is a common disease that especially mimics glaucoma's visual field loss, but fortunately, by using the parameters of HRT in addition to the measurements of the disc-macular distance (DM)/disc diameter (DD), a diagnosis can be done relatively easily. It is important to note that a small disc and/or optic nerve hypoplasia can be a risk factor for vascular events. Megalopapilla is another curious condition of the disc in which the morphology is often misdiagnosed as being glaucoma or optic atrophy. Therefore, before a final diagnosis of glaucoma is made, ophthalmologists need to consider whether the conditions noted are due to the presence of congenital or myopic disc changes. LA: Japanese
Dr. M. Wakakura, Inouye Eye Hospital, 4-3, Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
Classification:
2.14 Optic disc (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
6.9.1.1 Confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods > 6.9 Computerized image analysis > 6.9.1 Laser scanning)