Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026
07:11
Assessing Early Stage Open-Angle Glaucoma in Patients by Isolated-Check Visual Evoked Potential
Published on: May 25, 2020
6.9K
Differentiating Occult Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion from Primary Open-angle Glaucoma
Michael Sullivan-Mee, Pathik Amin1,2, Denise Pensyl1
1New Mexico VA HCS, Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Summary
Occult branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) can mimic glaucoma. Macular thickness measurements accurately differentiate these conditions, suggesting macular scanning may improve glaucoma diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Vascular Diseases
- Glaucoma Diagnostics
Background:
- Clinical presentation of occult branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) can be mistaken for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
- Accurate differentiation is critical due to differing management strategies for BRAO and POAG.
- Macular thickness variations may serve as key diagnostic indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify reliable clinical factors for distinguishing occult BRAO from POAG.
- To assess the diagnostic utility of macular thickness measurements in differentiating these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive eye examinations including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) for retinal nerve fiber layer and macular thickness (MT).
- Analysis of SD-OCT macular scans, defining thin MT blocks and identifying inner retinal thinning characteristic of BRAO.
- Comparison of occult BRAO and POAG eyes using pairwise and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses.
Main Results:
- Occult BRAO eyes showed lower cup-disc ratio, greater intereye and intraeye MT asymmetry, and more thin MT blocks (<200 μm) compared to POAG.
- Intraeye MT asymmetry (AUC = 0.990) and number of thin MT blocks (AUC = 0.993) demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy.
Conclusions:
- Macular thickness parameters offer accurate and efficient diagnostic capabilities for differentiating occult BRAO and POAG.
- Incorporating macular scanning into baseline glaucoma evaluations may enhance diagnostic precision and patient care.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
1.0K
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...
1.0K
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
1.3K
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
1.3K
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
1.4K
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...
1.4K
03:02Primary and Secondary Growth in Roots and Shoots
60.7K
Vascular plants, which account for over 90% of the Earth’s vegetation, all undergo primary growth—which lengthens roots and shoots. Many land plants, notably woody plants, also undergo secondary growth—which thickens roots and shoots.
60.7K
01:13Contact Angle
26.6K
When a solid is dipped inside a liquid, the liquid surface becomes curved near the contact. For some solid–liquid interfaces, the liquid is pulled up along the solid, while for others, the liquid surface is convex or depressed near the solid surface. This phenomenon can be explained using the concept of cohesive and adhesive forces.
The adhesive force is the molecular force between molecules of different materials, that is, between the molecules of the solid and the liquid. The cohesive...
The adhesive force is the molecular force between molecules of different materials, that is, between the molecules of the solid and the liquid. The cohesive...
26.6K
01:13Angle of Twist: Problem Solving
815
An electric motor applies a torque of 700 N·m to an aluminum shaft, triggering a stable rotation. Two pulleys, B and C, are subjected to torques of 300 N·m and 400 N·m, respectively. The modulus of rigidity is provided as 25 GPa. With the knowledge of the length and diameter of each segment, the twist angle between the two pulleys can be computed. First, a section cut is made between pulleys B and C, and the cut cross-section is analyzed using a free-body diagram. Given that the torque...
815