Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
07:11
Assessing Early Stage Open-Angle Glaucoma in Patients by Isolated-Check Visual Evoked Potential
Published on: May 25, 2020
Peripapillary fundus perimetry in eyes with glaucoma
E Convento1, E Midena, M T Dorigo
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, Padova 35128, Italy. enrica_convento@yahoo.it
The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|July 1, 2006
Summary
Fundus perimetry measuring peripapillary differential light threshold (DLT) shows reduced sensitivity in glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OHT) eyes. This DLT reduction parallels retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness reduction, aiding in disease detection.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OHT) are leading causes of irreversible blindness.
- Early detection and monitoring of glaucomatous damage are crucial for preserving vision.
- Peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness is a common biomarker, but novel methods are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate peripapillary differential light threshold (DLT) using fundus perimetry in glaucoma and OHT.
- To compare the diagnostic performance of DLT with peripapillary RNFL thickness.
- To assess the correlation between DLT and RNFL thickness in different ocular conditions.
Main Methods:
- Fundus perimetry was used to quantify peripapillary DLT at 1 degree from the optic nerve head.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) measured peripapillary RNFL thickness in the same region.
- A cohort of 35 glaucomatous, 29 OHT, and 24 control eyes was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower mean DLT was observed in OHT (17.6 dB) and glaucomatous (10.1 dB) eyes compared to controls (19.2 dB).
- Mean RNFL thickness was also significantly reduced in OHT (83.9 µm) and glaucomatous (55.8 µm) eyes versus controls (98.4 µm).
- Peripapillary DLT demonstrated superior sensitivity and specificity in differentiating between control, OHT, and glaucomatous eyes compared to RNFL thickness.
Conclusions:
- A progressive and significant reduction in peripapillary DLT occurs in both OHT and glaucomatous eyes.
- The observed decrease in DLT is directly related to the reduction in RNFL thickness.
- DLT measured by fundus perimetry may serve as a valuable complementary biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring glaucoma and OHT.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...