Abstract
PURPOSE
To compare scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) measurements of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in perimetrically unaffected eyes of glaucoma patients with those in their fellow eyes with field loss and eyes of healthy subjects.
DESIGN
Observational case-control study.
PARTICIPANTS AND CONTROLS
Twenty-three glaucoma patients with a reproducible visual field (VF) defect in one eye (mean mean deviation [MD], -5.71 decibels [dB]) and a normal VF in the other one (i.e., < or =1 VF test point below the 5% probability level [mean MD, -0.01 dB]) and 73 control eyes of as many age-matched healthy subjects (mean MD, 0.39 dB). The MDs and pattern standard deviations of the glaucoma patients' eyes with normal VFs and the control eyes did not statistically significantly differ (independent samples t test, P = 0.15 and P = 0.61, respectively).
METHODS
All subjects were measured in both eyes with the GDxVCC, a commercially available instrument featuring SLP with automated variable corneal compensation. Standard automated perimetry was assessed by means of the Humphrey Field Analyzer (24-2 Full Threshold or Swedish interactive threshold algorithm Standard achromatic test program).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The standard GDxVCC parameters TSNIT (temporal, superior, nasal, inferior, temporal) Average, Superior Average, Inferior Average, TSNIT Std. Dev., and Nerve Fiber Indicator (NFI) were determined. We also assessed the thickness values in 6 parapapillary sectors. In addition, we calculated the proportion of eyes per group with an NFI of > or =40.
RESULTS
GDxVCC measurements showed more RNFL thinning in the perimetrically unaffected eyes of glaucoma patients than in the healthy control eyes. The RNFL in the perimetrically unaffected eyes of glaucoma patients was thicker than that in their fellow eyes with field loss. The NFI had a value of > or =40 in 11 of 23 (47.8%) perimetrically unaffected eyes of glaucoma patients, 19 of 23 (82.6%) eyes with VF loss of glaucoma patients, and 3 of 73 (4.1%) healthy control eyes.
CONCLUSION
With the GDxVCC, thinning of the RNFL may be detected in perimetrically unaffected eyes of glaucoma patients with field loss in their fellow eyes.
TY - JOUR
T1 - Scanning laser polarimetry of the retinal nerve fiber layer in perimetrically unaffected eyes of glaucoma patients.
AU - Reus,Nicolaas J,
AU - Lemij,Hans G,
PY - 2004/02/19/received
PY - 2004/06/11/accepted
PY - 2004/12/8/pubmed
PY - 2004/12/21/medline
PY - 2004/12/8/entrez
SP - 2199
EP - 203
JF - Ophthalmology
JO - Ophthalmology
VL - 111
IS - 12
N2 - PURPOSE: To compare scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) measurements of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in perimetrically unaffected eyes of glaucoma patients with those in their fellow eyes with field loss and eyes of healthy subjects. DESIGN: Observational case-control study. PARTICIPANTS AND CONTROLS: Twenty-three glaucoma patients with a reproducible visual field (VF) defect in one eye (mean mean deviation [MD], -5.71 decibels [dB]) and a normal VF in the other one (i.e., < or =1 VF test point below the 5% probability level [mean MD, -0.01 dB]) and 73 control eyes of as many age-matched healthy subjects (mean MD, 0.39 dB). The MDs and pattern standard deviations of the glaucoma patients' eyes with normal VFs and the control eyes did not statistically significantly differ (independent samples t test, P = 0.15 and P = 0.61, respectively). METHODS: All subjects were measured in both eyes with the GDxVCC, a commercially available instrument featuring SLP with automated variable corneal compensation. Standard automated perimetry was assessed by means of the Humphrey Field Analyzer (24-2 Full Threshold or Swedish interactive threshold algorithm Standard achromatic test program). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The standard GDxVCC parameters TSNIT (temporal, superior, nasal, inferior, temporal) Average, Superior Average, Inferior Average, TSNIT Std. Dev., and Nerve Fiber Indicator (NFI) were determined. We also assessed the thickness values in 6 parapapillary sectors. In addition, we calculated the proportion of eyes per group with an NFI of > or =40. RESULTS: GDxVCC measurements showed more RNFL thinning in the perimetrically unaffected eyes of glaucoma patients than in the healthy control eyes. The RNFL in the perimetrically unaffected eyes of glaucoma patients was thicker than that in their fellow eyes with field loss. The NFI had a value of > or =40 in 11 of 23 (47.8%) perimetrically unaffected eyes of glaucoma patients, 19 of 23 (82.6%) eyes with VF loss of glaucoma patients, and 3 of 73 (4.1%) healthy control eyes. CONCLUSION: With the GDxVCC, thinning of the RNFL may be detected in perimetrically unaffected eyes of glaucoma patients with field loss in their fellow eyes.
SN - 1549-4713
UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/15582074/Scanning_laser_polarimetry_of_the_retinal_nerve_fiber_layer_in_perimetrically_unaffected_eyes_of_glaucoma_patients_
L2 - https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0161-6420(04)00963-7
DB - PRIME
DP - Unbound Medicine
ER -
