Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Assessing Early Stage Open-Angle Glaucoma in Patients by Isolated-Check Visual Evoked Potential
Published on: May 25, 2020
The prevalence of optic disc pits and their relationship to glaucoma
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, Westmead Hospital, Australia. PHealey@glaucoma.net.au
Purpose:
To determine prevalence and associations of pits of the optic disc in an older population and assess their relationship to open-angle glaucoma.
Design:
Population-based cross-sectional study.
Methods:
The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 persons (82.4% of permanent residents) aged over 48 years. Stereo-optic disc photographs were graded in a masked fashion.
Results:
Nine pits were found in 7 persons, a population prevalence of 0.19%. Three morphologic subtypes were found. Four peripheral pits were found at the inferior pole. Four central pits were located adjacent to the main vessel trunk. One pit was on the temporal disc margin. Pit prevalence increased with age (beta=0.0879, P=0.0099). It was strongly associated with high-pressure open-angle glaucoma [odds ratio (OR) 29, 95% confidence interval (95CI) 7-127], beta-peripapillary atrophy (OR 7.5, 95CI 2-32), and optic disc hemorrhage (OR 42, 95CI 9-183) after adjusting for age and sex. All peripheral pits were associated with paracentral visual field loss.
Conclusions:
The classically described temporal optic disc pit was the rarest morphologic subtype found in this older population. Optic disc pits were primarily associated with glaucoma and the related signs of optic disc hemorrhage and beta-peripapillary atrophy. The previously reported optic disc pit association with low-tension glaucoma may represent acquisition bias.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Glaucoma: Overview
Diabetic Retinopathy
Anatomy of the Eyeball
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

