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Abstract #6345 Published in IGR 3-2
Polarimetric nerve fiber analysis in patients with peripapillary myelinated retinal nerve fibers
Tathpinar S; Gedik S; Mocan MC; Orhan M; Irkeç MActa Ophthalmologica Scandinavica 2001; 79: 399-402
PURPOSE: To compare the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in eyes with myelinated retinal nerve fibers (MRNF) and age, sex-matched controls, using scanning laser polarimetry. METHODS: Seventeen patients with MRNF underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological examination including automated visual field testing, and scanning laser polarimetry with the Nerve Fiber Analyzer (NFA II). Twenty eyes with MRNF from the 17 patients were available for the study. Sixteen healthy, age and sex-matched, subjects served as controls. RNFL measurements of the four sectors (superior, inferior, nasal, temporal) and along the whole circumference of the optic disc, were obtained for affected and control eyes, and compared. RESULTS: Inferior average and inferior integral parameters of the NFA revealed significantly thinner RNFL thickness measurements in eyes with inferiorly located MRNF compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Retinal myelination alters the birefringent property of the RNFL and results in diminished thickness measurements. Hence, NFA measurements in patients with MRNF may not be reliable.
Dr S. Tathpinar, Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Classification:
2.13 Retina and retinal nerve fibre layer (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
6.9.1 Laser scanning (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods > 6.9 Computerized image analysis)
