Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2005;46: E-Abstract 2536.
© 2005 ARVO

2536 – B89

E.Z. Blumenthal¹, A. Horani¹, R. Sasikumar², G.C. Sekhar², A. Udaykumar² and R. Thomas²

¹ Dept of Ophthalmology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
² L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India

Commercial Relationships: E.Z. Blumenthal, Laser Diagnostic Technologies F; A. Horani, None; R. Sasikumar, None; G.C. Sekhar, None; A. Udaykumar, None; R. Thomas, None.

Support: None.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose: To correlate structure and function in end–stage glaucoma eyes, using scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) as a measure of structure, and standard achromatic perimetry (SAP) as a measure of the functional status of the eye.

Methods: Fifty–six eyes of 48 glaucoma patients presenting with end–stage glaucoma, as defined by both a glaucomatous optic disc with a vertical cup–to–disk (C/D) ratio of >0.9, and a SAP visual field (VF) criteria (mean deviation (MD) worse than –20dB) underwent SLP imaging using the GDX VCC unit. Patients were recruited at two tertiary referral centers: Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem, and L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad.

Results: The VF MD was: –26.75 ± 3.50. The remaining RNFL layer, as measured using SLP, in this group of eyes was: TSNIT Average: 29.76 ± 5.81; Superior Average: 30.76 ± 6.25; Inferior Average: 31.14 ± 7.20. Poor structure–function correlation was found when analyzing separately the superior and the inferior hemifields (r²=0.003, r²=0.04, respectively).

Conclusions: In eyes with end–stage glaucoma little remaining RNFL is found with scanning laser polarimetry, however, these values rarely drop below 10–20 microns. A flattening of the GDx TSNIT pattern is evident, and the correlation between structure and function is mostly lost.

Keywords: imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • visual fields • wound healing