Correlation of functional and structural measurements in eyes suspected of having glaucoma.

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to determine the correlation between structural changes in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and functional loss detected on short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) in a population of patients with suspected glaucoma.

METHODS

With a selection criteria of intraocular pressure (IOP) more than 21 mmHg and normal results of conventional automated perimetry, 49 eyes of 49 patients with ocular hypertension were enrolled in the study. The SWAP was performed with a modified Humphrey field analyzer, and visual field indexes (mean deviation [MD], corrected pattern standard deviation [CPSD]) were calculated. Semiquantitative RNFL scores were given separately to diffuse and localized defects of the RNFL.

RESULTS

The MD increased significantly with higher diffuse and total RNFL scores, with good correlation coefficients. A weak correlation was found between CPSD and diffuse, total, and localized RNFL scores.

CONCLUSION

Diffuse RNFL loss are associated with abnormalities in visual field indexes (MD), whereas focal structural damage showed no correlation with visual field loss.