[Confocal laser scanning tomography (HRT) in diagnosis and monitoring glaucomatous optic nerve damage in primary open angle glaucoma].

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to estimate HRT usefulness in quantitative evaluation of structural glaucomatous optic nerve head damage and in monitoring this atrophy in POAG patients and normal subjects, during 18-monthly follow up.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

130 eyes of 84 patients with primary open angle glaucoma, 52 women (79 eyes) and 32 men (51 eyes) in age 45-70 (mean = 54.69 yrs) and 96 eyes of 48 normal subjects, 33 women (66 eyes) and 15 men (30 eyes) in age 40-70 (mean=51.90 yrs). The ONH-stereometric parameters were examined using confocal laser scanning tomography--HRT (version 2.01).

RESULTS

All of ONH stereometric parameters (except: HVC) statistically significant distinguish glaucoma and normal eyes. The most marked of ONH-parameters are: C/D area ratio, CA, CSM, RA, RV, Mean cup depth, CV, Max cup depth, Mean RNFL thickness, RNFL-csa and DA. Statistically significant changes of all ONH stereometric parameters in primary open angle glaucoma were found during follow up (except: HVC, CV and CSM).

CONCLUSIONS

HRT is precise method for ONH-parameters evaluation. All of ONH-stereometric parameters (except HVC) are good markers of quantitative ONH-glaucomatous damage. HRT is valuable and precise method of quantitative monitoring progression of glaucomatous neuropathy.