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In vivo Structural Assessments of Ocular Disease in Rodent Models using Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: July 24, 2020
Effect of trabeculectomy on RNFL thickness and optic disc parameters using optical coherence tomography
N Raghu1, S S Pandav, S Kaushik
1Advanced Eye Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Eye (London, England)
|June 23, 2012
Summary
Trabeculectomy surgery for glaucoma caused temporary changes in retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and optic nerve head (ONH) parameters. These RNFL and ONH changes returned to baseline within three months post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Glaucoma Research
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterized by damage to the optic nerve.
- Trabeculectomy is a common surgical procedure to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients.
- Understanding the immediate and short-term effects of trabeculectomy on optic nerve head (ONH) and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in RNFL thickness and ONH parameters following trabeculectomy in adult glaucoma patients.
- To assess the impact of glaucoma surgery on key ocular structures using optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 17 adult glaucoma patients undergoing trabeculectomy.
- Optical coherence tomography (Stratus OCT 3) was used to measure RNFL thickness and ONH parameters preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively.
- Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare pre- and postoperative measurements.
Main Results:
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) significantly decreased post-trabeculectomy.
- A transient increase in average and inferior RNFL thickness was observed at 1 week, reverting to baseline by 3 months.
- The optic disc cup area showed a significant decrease at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively, returning towards baseline by 3 months.
- No significant changes were noted in other ONH parameters; RNFL thickness changes did not correlate with IOP changes.
Conclusions:
- Glaucoma filtration surgery, such as trabeculectomy, can induce short-term fluctuations in RNFL thickness and ONH parameters.
- RNFL thickness and optic disc cup area exhibit temporary changes after surgery, normalizing within three months.
- These findings highlight the dynamic nature of ocular structures in the early postoperative period following glaucoma surgery.
