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Optic disc morphometry correlated with confocal laser scanning Doppler flowmetry measurements in normal-pressure
Jost B Jonas1, Joanna Harazny, Wido M Budde
1Department of Ophthalmology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. Jost.Jonas@augen.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
Journal of Glaucoma
|June 5, 2003
Summary
In normal-pressure glaucoma patients, blood flow in the optic nerve (measured by confocal laser scanning Doppler flowmetry) is reduced. This reduced flow correlates with optic nerve damage and visual field loss.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Glaucoma Research
- Optic Nerve Head Imaging
Background:
- Normal-pressure glaucoma (NPG) is a form of glaucoma where optic nerve damage occurs despite normal intraocular pressure.
- Understanding the hemodynamic changes in the optic nerve head is crucial for diagnosing and managing NPG.
- Confocal laser scanning Doppler flowmetry (CLDF) offers a non-invasive method to assess blood flow in the optic nerve head.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the morphology of the optic disc and hemodynamic parameters in patients with normal-pressure glaucoma.
- To assess blood flow within the neuroretinal rim and parapapillary retina using CLDF in NPG patients.
- To correlate CLDF measurements with optic disc morphometry and visual field defects in NPG.
Main Methods:
- The study included 91 eyes of 54 NPG patients and 136 eyes of 77 age-matched controls.
- Morphometric analysis of color stereo optic disc photographs was performed.
- Confocal laser scanning Doppler flowmetry was used to measure blood flow in the neuroretinal rim and peripapillary retina.
Main Results:
- Mean CLDF measurements were significantly lower in the neuroretinal rim, temporal, and nasal parapapillary retina of NPG patients compared to controls (P<0.03).
- Reduced neuroretinal rim area and increased visual field defects in NPG patients were associated with decreased CLDF measurements in the neuroretinal rim.
- No statistically significant correlation was found between CLDF measurements and parapapillary atrophy zones (alpha and beta) in NPG.
Conclusions:
- Eyes with normal-pressure glaucoma exhibit reduced blood flow in the neuroretinal rim as measured by CLDF.
- CLDF measurements decrease with increasing glaucomatous optic nerve damage, although with considerable variability.
- The study highlights the potential of CLDF in assessing hemodynamic changes in NPG but indicates limited correlation with parapapillary atrophy.