Search

PurposeTo investigate the characteristics and rate of central visual field loss after optic disc hemorrhage (DH).DesignProspective cohort study.MethodsThree hundred forty-three eyes of 220 subjects who had ≥3 years of follow-up with a minimum of 5 visits with 10-2 and 24-2 visual field (VF) were recruited. Rates of 10-2 mean deviation (MD) loss in each hemifield and predefined zones were compared using linear mixed-effects models in DH and non-DH eyes. Clustered pointwise regression analysis was also used to define central VF progressors and compared with 24-2 VF loss using guided progression analysis.ResultsThirty-nine eyes with DH and 304 eyes without DH had a mean follow-up of 5.2 years. Eyes with DH had rates of 10-2 MD loss that were 3 times faster than non-DH eyes (mean difference -0.36 dB/year [95% confidence interval 0.54-0.18]; P < .001) and were 3.7 times more likely to progress (P=.002). A larger proportion of glaucomatous eyes showed central VF progression rather than peripheral VF progression in the DH group (30.8% vs. 20.5%) compared with the non-DH group (10.9% vs. 9.2%). In early glaucoma, the rate of 10-2 MD loss was 5.5 times faster in DH eyes than in non-DH eyes (P < .001). Superonasal and superotemporal central VF regions progressed more rapidly than other regions, especially in DH eyes.ConclusionCentral VF loss is accelerated in glaucoma eyes with DH and it corresponds topographically to the DH location. In patients with glaucoma with DH, one should consider supplementing 10-2 VFs with 24-2 VFS to monitor the disease.

Background: Since the development of the coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine, there have been many reports of its adverse effects. While respiratory symptoms are common, many other symptoms in various organs have been reported. Herein, we report a case of optic disc and retinal hemorrhage that developed immediately after coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination. Case presentation: A healthy 18-year-old Japanese female noticed floater in the left eye 1 day after the second vaccination for coronavirus disease 2019 (Pfizer Inc.). Her visual acuity was 20/20 in the left eye, and Goldmann visual field test showed a relative scotoma around blind spot and in the temporal lower quadrant. It was considered due to subretinal hemorrhage and optic disc swelling. Fundus examination revealed retinal and optic disc hemorrhage. Pupillary reflex was intact and central critical flicker was not impaired, indicating that optic nerve was not involved. There was no sign of inflammation, vascular abnormality, nor history of an intense Valsalva maneuver. The hemorrhage resolved spontaneously within 5 months. Conclusion: This case expands the clinical presentation of coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination-associated ocular adverse events, and it should be kept in mind when patients with similar symptoms visit clinics. The case report will help clinicians avoid unnecessary and invasive examinations and treatment., Journal of Medical Case Reports, 16(1), art. no. 462; 2022

To investigate and compare the longitudinal rate of change of Bruch's membrane opening minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in eyes showing optic disc hemorrhage(DH).Observational case series.A total of 82 subjects(82 eyes) showing DH who had undergone more than five reliable spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) tests were included. BMO-MRW and RNFL were measured with OCT at 3-month intervals. The rates of change in global and each Garway-Heath sector were calculated with a linear mixed-effects model after adjusting for age, sex, and BMO area.The mean follow-up period was 21.57 ± 7.88 months with a mean number of 7.88 ± 2.39 OCT tests. Baseline demographics were age (58.37 ± 10.65 y); 46.3% were female; and the mean deviation was -4.41 ± 5.04 dB. The global rate of change in BMO-MRW was -3.507 ± 0.675 μm/y and in -1.404 ± 0.208 μm/y in RNFL. The rate of change was the greatest in the inferotemporal sector, which was -9.141 ± 1.254 μm/y in BMO-MRW and -4.204 ± 0.490 μm/y in the RNFL. The rate of change was significantly greater in BMO-MRW than in the RNFL in all sectors, except for the nasal sector (P.05). Percentage of reduction was significantly greater in BMO-MRW than in RNFL in the inferotemporal and superotemporal sectors (P.05).BMO-MRW showed a significantly greater rate of change than RNFL in eyes showing DH, especially in the inferotemporal and superotemporal sectors in percentage of reduction. Thus, it may be more advantageous to detect glaucomatous progression earlier in BMO-MRW than in the RNFL in eyes showing DH that are more likely to progress.

To determine the relationship between optic disc hemorrhage (DH) and corneal hysteresis (CH).Consecutive patients with prior or current photographic evidence of unilateral DH who had undergone CH measurement with the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA; Reichert, Buffalo, NY) were enrolled. Eyes with a history of corneal disease, refractive surgery, or bilateral DH were excluded. Central corneal thickness (CCT), visual field data, 5 consecutive previous intraocular pressures (IOPs), and maximum documented peak IOP were obtained by chart review. Vertical cup-to-disc ratio (VCDR), the presence of neuroretinal rim notching, number of clock hours of beta zone parapapillary atrophy (ßPPA), and eye with greater ßPPA width were determined from photographs by 2 masked expert examiners.We identified and analyzed 49 patients with photographically documented unilateral DH. Compared to fellow non-DH eyes, eyes with DH had lower CH (8.7 ± 1.9 vs 9.2 ± 1.7; p = 0.002), higher IOP (15.6 ± 3.6 vs 14.3 ± 4.1; p = 0.017), and greater VCDR (0.79 ± 0.13 vs 0.68 ± 0.23; p0.001), but were similar with respect to CCT, ßPPA extent, rim notching, peak IOP, and visual field damage (all p0.05). Using multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis, only CH (p = 0.012) and VCDR (p = 0.004) predicted the laterality of the DH.Lower CH and greater VCDR are independently associated with DH. This suggests that CH may be a structural biomarker for an abnormality of the optic nerve complex that may be associated with progressive glaucoma. Eyes in which DH were detected had lower CH.

Background Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a necrotizing lymphadenitis, and presents fever of unknown origin and cervical lymphadenopathy. Ocular complications are unusual in KFD. Here we report a case of sub internal limiting membrane (ILM) hemorrhage followed by bilateral optic disc hemorrhage in KFD. Case presentation A 16-year-old Japanese man perceived a sudden decrease of right vision 3 days after onset of fever with unknown origin and left cervical lymphadenopathy. At presentation, visual acuity (VA) of right eye was 0.05 in decimal chart (1.30: converted to logarithm of minimum angle of resolution: logMAR). Fundus photograph showed extensive sub-ILM hemorrhage in right eye, and optic disc hemorrhages in both eyes. Fluorescein angiography presented hypo- and hyperfluorescences in optic disc of right eye, and hyperfluorescence in the disc of left eye. To make a definitive diagnosis, cervical lymph node biopsy was performed, and KFD was diagnosed pathologically. Thereafter, fever, headache and the cervical lymphadenopathy disappeared spontaneously. The sub-ILM hemorrhage was drained into the vitreous cavity by neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (Nd: YAG) hyaloidotomy. VA recovered to 1.5 (− 0.18: logMAR VA) in right eye. Conclusion Sub-ILM hemorrhage and optic disc hemorrhage are a KFD-related ocular complication.

Background/AimsOptic disc hemorrhage (DH) is an important glaucoma risk factor, and occurs in a wide intraocular pressure (IOP) range. We sought to characterize distinct clinical subtypes of patients with high- (HTDH) and low-tension DHs (LTDH).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, treated glaucomatous patients with DHs from two Glaucoma Services were consecutively enrolled. Disc photographs were evaluated for the presence of DH by two glaucoma specialists. After inclusion, patients were classified on HTDH (IOP ≥ 16mmHg) and LTDH (IOP< 16mmHg; median split). Clinical and ocular data from the time of DH detection were compared between groups.ResultsOne hundred thirty-three DH patients were included (LTDH = 66 eyes; HTDH = 67 eyes). Patients with LTDH were more often women than those with HTDH (77% vs 42%; p = 0.030). There was also a trend for a higher prevalence of Asian descendants (24% vs 9%; p = 0.058) and symptoms suggestive of vascular dysregulation (34% vs 14%; p = 0.057) in LTDH patients. Eyes with LTDH also had worse visual field (VF) mean deviation index (p = 0.037), higher prevalence of normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) diagnosis (46% vs 17%; p< 0.001) and tended to have thinner central corneas (p = 0.066).ConclusionPatients developing DHs with treated IOPs in the low teens seem to more frequently fit in a profile represented by women, NTG diagnosis and greater VF loss. The presence of symptoms suggestive of vascular dysregulation and race also seem to differ between these two clinical subtypes. A closer optic disc surveillance is recommended for patients with the LTDH subtype, as they may develop DHs despite seemingly well-controlled IOP.

Purpose To characterize changes in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and peripapillary vessel density (VD) at the site of disc hemorrhage (DH) in nonglaucomatous eyes. Materials and methods This retrospective cross-sectional study included nonglaucomatous eyes diagnosed with unilateral DH. The change of DH was recorded using disc photography. Both anatomical data and functional visual field (VF) data were collected using optical coherence tomography angiography and Humphrey VF examination. Results Sixteen patients were included with average follow-up duration of 95 months. Almost half of DH episodes was initially presented at the inferotemporal area of the optic disc. Pigment formation at the previous DH site after resolution was noted in 12.5% of eyes. Sectoral radial peripapillary VD at the DH site was significantly lower in DH eyes than in the control group; however, the sectoral RNFL thickness at the DH site was not significantly decreased. Progression of the VF defect corresponding to the DH site was found in 81.3% of eyes despite regular use of antiglaucoma agents. The mean change in the VF mean deviation was -0.64 dB/year in DH eyes. Conclusion During long follow-up periods, decreased peripapillary VD at the DH site and progression of the VF defect corresponding to the DH site were detected in nonglaucomatous eyes. Retinal pigmentation with an RNFL defect is a clue for DH, although RNFL showed no significant change. Antiglaucoma treatment may not prevent the deterioration of visual function.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between optic disc hemorrhage (ODH) and the geographic pattern (regional vs. global) of parapapillary choroidal vessel density (pCVD) loss within the β-parapapillary atrophy (β-PPA) in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 100 OAG eyes with visual field (VF) defects confined to a single hemifield (50 with and 50 without ODH, matched for age (≤10 years) and VF severity (≤1 decibel) at the same hemifield), as well as 50 healthy eyes. The pCVD was measured using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The relationships between pCVD and clinical factors were assessed globally and regionally. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the clinical factors associated with the presence of ODH. Results: The pCVD values within ODH-affected hemiretinae of ODH+ eyes were significantly lower than those in the matched hemiretinae of ODH− eyes (p = 0.001). The presence of ODH was significantly correlated with a lower pCVD within ODH-dominant inferior hemiretinae (p < 0.05). Lower pCVD values at ODH-affected hemiretinae was significantly associated with the presence of ODH (p < 0.05). Conclusions: OAG eyes with ODH demonstrate a greater severity of regional pCVD loss at the hemiretinae spatially corresponding to the ODH location compared to OAG eyes without ODH.

Purpose of review This article reviews the recent findings with regard to the pathophysiology and clinical significance of optic disc hemorrhage in glaucoma. Recent findings Even though the pathophysiology of disc hemorrhage has been investigated in depth, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. The key disc hemorrhage mechanisms currently under discussion are mechanical vascular disruption and associated vascular susceptibilities. Recent technical advances in spectral-domain optical coherence tomography have yielded more compelling evidence of mechanical vascular disruption behind the pathogenesis of disc hemorrhage in glaucoma. Studies show that disc hemorrhage is associated with structural and functional glaucoma progression. Furthermore, recent findings suggest that disc hemorrhage can have different significances according to its location, recurrence, and associated underlying mechanism. Summary The underlying mechanism of disc hemorrhage is complex like that of glaucoma. The ongoing controversy respecting the role of disc hemorrhage as a risk factor for glaucoma progression notwithstanding, special attention entailing closer follow-up and/or treatment escalation is recommended for patients with disc hemorrhage. Further studies investigating the unrevealed pathogenesis of disc hemorrhage and its prognostic value in glaucoma are warranted.

Optic-disc photography (ODP) has proven to be very useful for optic nerve evaluation in glaucoma. In real clinical practice, however, limited patient cooperation, small pupils, or media opacities can limit the performance of ODP. The purpose of this study was to propose a deep-learning approach for increased resolution and improved legibility of ODP by contrast, color, and brightness compensation. Each high-resolution original ODP was transformed into two counterparts: (1) down-scaled 'low-resolution ODPs', and (2) 'compensated high-resolution ODPs' produced via enhancement of the visibility of the optic disc margin and surrounding retinal vessels using a customized image post-processing algorithm. Then, the differences between these two counterparts were directly learned through a super-resolution generative adversarial network (SR-GAN). Finally, by inputting the high-resolution ODPs into SR-GAN, 4-times-up-scaled and overall-color-and-brightness-transformed 'enhanced ODPs' could be obtained. General ophthalmologists were instructed (1) to assess each ODP's image quality, and (2) to note any abnormal findings, at 1-month intervals. The image quality score for the enhanced ODPs was significantly higher than that for the original ODP, and the overall optic disc hemorrhage (DH)-detection accuracy was significantly higher with the enhanced ODPs. We expect that this novel deep-learning approach will be applied to various types of ophthalmic images.

Purpose To establish the existence of minute-sized optic disc hemorrhage (DH; i.e., optic disc microhemorrhage [micro-DH]) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and to evaluate its clinical implications for glaucoma progression. Design Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Methods POAG patients with macro-DH who had met the following conditions were included: follow-up period 7 years or longer (at least 3 years before and at least 4 years after the date of first macro-DH), and more than nine reliable VF results. Micro-DH was defined as a less than 0.01-mm2 area DH that is undetectable on conventional stereo disc photography (SDP) but can be discriminated by enhanced SDP. SDPs were enhanced by customized image-compensation software. Each enhanced image was evaluated to determine the presence of micro-DH. VF progression was confirmed by standard automated perimetry's guided progression analysis. Results Among the 107 POAG eyes with macro-DH, micro-DH was detected prior to macro-DH in 39 (36.4%), the median time lag being 13.6 months. Over the course of the mean 7.1 ± 0.8-year follow-up period, 40 of 107 eyes showed VF progression: 21 (53.8%) of the 39 eyes of the micro-DH positive group and 19 (27.9%) of the 68 eyes of the micro-DH-negative group (P = 0.008). In the micro-DH-positive group, the cumulative VF-progression probability was significantly greater (P = 0.001), and the overall VF-deterioration rate was much faster (-1.01 ± 0.58 vs. -0.78 ± 0.49 dB/year, P = 0.029). Conclusions Micro-DH was found prior to macro-DH detection in a significant proportion of POAG patients; micro-DH, moreover, was associated with earlier and faster VF progression.

Objective To determine whether there is an increased prevalence of nailfold hemorrhages in patients with glaucoma with a current optic disc hemorrhage (ODH) compared with those without a history of ODH. Design Prospective observational study. Participants Group 1 (n = 40) consisted of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or normal tension glaucoma (POAG/NTG) with a current ODH who met the specified inclusion/exclusion criteria. Group 2 (n = 20) consisted of age- and sex-matched patients with glaucoma without a history of ODH who met specified criteria (control group). Methods This study was performed in a clinical practice setting. Nailfold capillaroscopy was performed in each participant to determine the presence of nailfold hemorrhages and other capillary morphologic changes. Results There was no significant difference in mean age (68 ± 10 years for Group 1 vs 71 ± 12 years for Group 2; p = 0.20) or sex (62% female in Group 1 vs 59% female in Group 2; p = 0.80) between the groups. There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients with nailfold hemorrhage(s) between Group 1 (23%, 10/42) and Group 2 (26%, 11/42; p = 0.8). Subanalysis of Group 1 identified no significant difference in the prevalence of nailfold hemorrhages between patients with POAG (23%, 6/26) and NTG (25%, 4/16; p = 0.9). Conclusions We report no increase in nailfold haemorrhages in patients with glaucoma with a current ODH compared with patients with glaucoma without a history of ODH. However, the prevalence of nailfold hemorrhages in patients with glaucoma either with or without an ODH is significantly greater than that identified in normal (nonglaucoma) control subjects in other studies.

To investigate the association of nailfold capillaroscopy, heart rate variability (HRV), and clinical characteristics of glaucoma with the plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) level in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study on 25 patients with NTG. Subjects with systemic diseases were excluded. The patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination and were referred to the Rheumatology Department, where nailfold capillaroscopy and HRV assessment were performed. The patients were assigned to the lowest and highest HRV groups according to the standard deviation value of the qualified normal-to-normal intervals of the HRV assessment. Blood samples from all the subjects were assayed for MMP-9 concentrations.The systemic MMP-9 level was significantly associated with the nailfold capillaroscopy result (ρ = 0.439, p = 0.032). Of the 25 patients, seven had optic disc hemorrhage (ODH). The mean MMP-9 concentration was 4375.6 ± 2923.2 pg/ml in ODH patients and 5932.1 ± 1265.4 pg/ml in patients without ODH. However, there was no significant association of HRV parameters or disc hemorrhage with the systemic MMP-9 level.The systemic MMP-9 level was associated with the nailfold capillaroscopy results in patients with NTG but had no direct association with ODH.

Purpose To investigate optic disc hemorrhage (DH)’s clinical implications to subsequent progression of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in cases of mild-to-moderate myopia. Design Retrospective comparative study. Participants (1) Fifty-nine (59) myopic (26.5 mm > axial length [AXL] ≥ 24.0 mm) POAG patients with DH and (2) 59 age-, AXL-, and mean deviation (MD) of visual field (VF)-matched controls without DH were evaluated over the course of a minimum 3.5 years of follow up. For clear assessment of the effect of DH on progression of glaucoma, the patients selected for inclusion in the study were those with stable IOP (i.e., those showing an at least 20% reduction relative to the baseline IOP) whose IOP-lowering medication was not increased, supplemented or changed during the follow-up period. Methods The patients’ optic disc/retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) photographs were independently evaluated by three glaucoma specialists for structural progression of glaucoma. Event-based analysis with Guided Progression Analysis (GPA) software was used to determine their functional progression. The durations of structural and functional progression were compared by Kaplan-Meier life survival analyses. Main outcome measures Optic disc/RNFL progression and VF progression. Results The mean follow-up periods between the DH and non-DH groups were not significantly different: in the DH group, 5.6±2.7 years; in the non-DH group, 5.4±2.6 years (P = 0.588). In the DH group, 30 (50.8%) of 59 eyes manifested optic disc/RNFL deterioration; in the non-DH group, however, only 17 (28.8%) of 59 eyes showed structural progression. For the DH group, the cumulative probability of structural glaucoma progression was significantly greater than for the non-DH group (P = 0.001; log rank test). Interestingly, the two groups did not significantly differ in the cumulative probability of functional progression (P = 0.79; log rank test): in the DH group, VF progression was observed in 14 eyes (23.7%); in the non-DH group, in 12 eyes (20.3%). Conclusions DH was associated with a greater probability of structural progression in medically well-controlled-IOP POAG eyes with mild-to-moderate myopia. However, the relevance of DH to VF progression was not clear over the course of the average 5.5-year duration of the study.

Purpose To evaluate the rate of change in ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) using a trend-based approach in early-stage glaucomatous eyes with disc hemorrhage (DH) and to compare the GCIPL thinning rate with that in glaucomatous eyes without DH. Methods This prospective observational study included 46 patients with early-stage open-angle glaucoma and DH who underwent serial spectral-domain OCT measurements for at least 30 months. The GCIPL thinning rate was determined in the global, superior, or inferior hemiretinas and in six macular sectors by linear regression and was compared between glaucomatous eyes with DH and fellow glaucomatous eyes without DH and between glaucomatous eyes with DH and non-DH glaucomatous control eyes. Results The GCIPL thinning rate (mean ± standard deviation) was significantly more rapid in glaucomatous eyes with DH than in fellow eyes without DH in the inferior hemiretina (-1.07 ± 0.75 vs. -0.44 ± 0.54 μm/y, P = 0.001), inferotemporal sector (-1.13 ± 1.00 vs. -0.61 ± 0.66 μm/y, P = 0.028), and inferior sector (-1.33 ± 0.79 vs. -0.42 ± 0.78 μm/y, P < 0.001). The GCIPL thinning rate was significantly more rapid in glaucomatous eyes with DH than in glaucomatous controls without DH in the global area (-0.78 ± 0.85 vs. -0.32 ± 0.48 μm/y, P = 0.002), the inferior hemiretina (-1.00 ± 0.94 vs. -0.37 ± 0.67 μm/y, P < 0.001), and the inferotemporal sector (-1.31 ± 1.07 vs. -0.34 ± 0.75 μm/y, P < 0.001). Conclusions The GCIPL thinning rate on OCT was significantly more rapid in glaucomatous eyes with DH than in fellow glaucomatous eyes without DH or glaucomatous control eyes without DH. DH could be associated with progression of glaucoma in terms of GCIPL thinning.

Both disc hemorrhages (DH) and focal lamina cribrosa (LC) defects are recently considered as a progression factor in glaucoma. However, the clinical relevance of the presence of LC findings at the site of the DH has not yet been determined. We conducted a prospective study enrolling a total of 98 glaucoma eyes with DH and 37 OAG eyes with focal LC defect without DH to determine whether visual field (VF) progression differs according to the findings of the LC that had been evaluated by enhanced depth imaging (EDI) of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and its relationship with DH. Only the presence of focal LC defects was significantly different between the progressing and stable patients (P P = 0.098) and the presence of focal LC defects at the DH site (HR, 2.620; P = 0.002) were found to be associated with VF progression. Glaucoma eyes with DH at the site of focal LC defects showed frequent and faster VF progression compared with DH not accompanied by LC alterations or LC alterations not accompanied by DH. Evaluating LC alterations in glaucoma eyes with DH may be important in predicting the progression of glaucoma.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in longitudinal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) as determined by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) after optic disc hemorrhage (DH) in glaucomatous eyes. METHODS A total of 65 eyes with unilateral DH and 65 contralateral eyes without DH were subjected to RNFLT measurements by using OCT at the time of DH detection and at 1 year (12±2 mo) and 2 years (24±2 mo) later. For the definition of event-based significant RNFLT changes (a change beyond the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of test-retest variability), 50 eyes with stable glaucoma without DH that had undergone OCT examinations 3 times with a 1-year interval were also enrolled. Clock-hour sector RNFLT in the eyes with DH and clock-hour sector RNFLT at equivalent locations in the contralateral eyes without DH were analyzed to assess localized and spatially compatible RNFLT changes associated with DH. RESULTS Of the eyes with DH, 38.5% showed decrease in RNFLT and 6.2% showed increase in RNFLT 1 year after DH detection, whereas 58.5% showed decrease in RNFLT and no eye showed increase in RNFLT 2 years after DH detection. Significant decreases in RNFLT in the eyes with DH were associated with the presence of recurrent DH and greater baseline RNFLT (P

To evaluate functional progression in preperimetric glaucoma (PPG) with disc hemorrhage (DH) and to determine the time interval between the first-detected DH and development of glaucomatous visual field (VF) defect. A total of 87 patients who had been first diagnosed with PPG were enrolled. The medical records of PPG patients without DH (Group 1) and with DH (Group 2) were reviewed. When glaucomatous VF defect appeared, the time interval from the diagnosis of PPG to the development of VF defect was calculated and compared between the two groups. In group 2, the time intervals from the first-detected DH to VF defect of the single- and recurrent-DH were compared. Of the enrolled patients, 45 had DH in the preperimetric stage. The median time interval from the diagnosis of PPG to the development of VF defect was 73.3 months in Group 1, versus 45.4 months in Group 2 (P = 0.042). The cumulative probability of development of VF defect after diagnosis of PPG was significantly greater in Group 2 than in Group 1. The median time interval from first-detected DH to the development of VF defect was 37.8 months. The median time interval from DH to VF defect and cumulative probability of VF defect after DH did not show a statistical difference between single and recurrent-DH patients. The median time interval between the diagnosis of PPG and the development of VF defect was significantly shorter in PPG with DH. The VF defect appeared 37.8 months after the first-detected DH in PPG.

An acute presentation of an optic disc hemorrhage can indicate true optic nerve head damage or can be a result of tractional forces on the vitreopapillary interface. An isolated optic disc hemorrhage secondary to vitreopapillary traction (VPT) can mimic the clinical presentation of a glaucomatous process or that of an underlying ocular or systemic condition. This article highlights the use of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) 5 line raster (5LR) in differentiating true optic disc hemorrhages from those as a result of tractional forces. Two examples are given of patients presenting to our clinic with unilateral optic disc hemorrhages and various underlying disease processes as risk factors. With the use of SD-OCT 5LR imaging, VPT was implicated as the cause of the disc hemorrhages in both patients. Although this imaging tool alone is not enough to rule out a disease process such as glaucoma or prevent the need for additional diagnostic testing, SD-OCT 5LR is a noninvasive and valuable clinical tool in distinguishing VPT from other etiologies of an optic nerve hemorrhage.

To evaluate the progression of glaucoma after first detected disc hemorrhage (DH) by time-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).Forty-four eyes with a unilateral DH were allocated to the DH group and 44 fellow eyes to the non-DH group. OCT signal decrease indicating retinal nerve fiber layer thinning was defined as a decrease beyond the upper 95% limit of test-retest variability defined at the 95% confidence level of 44 control patients. The DH and non-DH groups were compared in terms of OCT-derived glaucoma progressions after the first detected DH. In addition, clock-hour locations of the OCT-derived progression were compared with those of DHs.After a median 38.8±10.8 months of follow-up, 72.7% (32 of 44) of eyes in the DH group showed OCT-determined progression on a clock-hour basis, compared with 27.3% (12 of 44) of the fellow eyes in the non-DH group (P0.0001, Fisher exact test). Eyes in the DH group showed more rapid and greater falls in clock-hour-based progression than fellow eyes in the non-DH group (P0.0001, log-rank test). Twenty-nine eyes (90.6%) showed progression within 1 clock hour of the location of DH. However, no significant intergroup differences were observed in terms of OCT-determined progression on quadrant or average basis (P0.05, respectively, Fisher exact test).Rapid, spatially compatible, localized thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer after the first detected DH was shown by Stratus OCT.

The occurrence of optic disc hemorrhage in glaucoma has been noted for many years, but it has only been in the last 40 years that the association between disc hemorrhage and glaucoma progression has been realised. Normal-tension glaucoma patients have the highest prevalence of disc hemorrhage, but such hemorrhages occur in all types of glaucoma. The exact pathogenesis of disc hemorrhage is unknown, but primary vascular dysregulation appears to be the most likely cause in eyes with glaucoma. Optic disc hemorrhages have been associated with the progression of glaucomatous optic nerve damage and the progression of visual field defects. Lowering intraocular pressure (particularly with trabeculectomy) has been shown to reduce the occurrence of optic disc hemorrhage in glaucoma.

To evaluate quantitatively the structural damage of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in eyes with disc hemorrhage (DH).Prospective cross-sectional study.Seventy patients with DH (70 eyes; mean age +/- standard deviation, 60.0+/-11.8 years) and 100 healthy control subjects (100 eyes; mean age +/- standard deviation, 57.7+/-8.0 years) were enrolled from the Glaucoma Clinic of Seoul National University Hospital.Normal eyes without DH (group 1: normal control group) served as controls. Eyes with DH were divided into the following groups: (1) eyes with a DH, accompanied by no visible RNFL defect according to red-free fundus photography and normal visual fields (group 2: DH only group); (2) eyes with a DH and a localized RNFL defect in the same quadrant, accompanied by normal visual fields (group 3: DH-preperimetric group); and (3) eyes with a DH and a localized RNFL defect in the same quadrant, accompanied by glaucomatous visual field defect in the corresponding hemifield location (group 4: DH-perimetric group). Optical coherence tomography (OCT)-measured RNFL thicknesses were compared.Average and segmental (4 quadrants and 12 clock-hours) OCT-measured RNFL thicknesses.The number of eyes in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 100, 25, 22, and 23 eyes, respectively. The OCT-measured RNFL thickness was significantly different among the 4 groups in average RNFL thickness and in inferior, superior, and nasal quadrants (P0.01, 1-way analysis of variance). On post hoc analysis, the eyes of groups 2 and 3 showed thinner average RNFL thickness than those of group 1, and the average RNFL thickness of group 4 was significantly lower than that of groups 2 and 3 (P0.001, 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test). The OCT-measured RNFL thickness revealed a topographic relationship with the DH location.Significant RNFL loss was already present in the DH only eyes with apparently normal RNFL configuration by red-free fundus photography, indicating that preperimetric changes of the RNFL are already present. These results suggest that OCT has the potential to detect subclinical or preperimetric RNFL loss in the eyes with DH.The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of disc hemorrhage (DH) and evaluate its related risk factors in an urban South Korean population. METHODS This retrospective cross-sectional study included subjects who underwent health screening at the Health Screening Center of Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from August 2012 to July 2013. All fundus photographs were first reviewed by two ophthalmologists and then by two glaucoma specialists and one retina specialist to determine the presence of DHs. In addition to fundus photographs, each participant completed systemic examination as well as sociodemographic and behavioral questionnaires. RESULTS Fundus photographs were available for 164,029/168,044 (97.61%) subjects 20 years and older. The prevalence of DH was 226/164,029 (0.14%; 95% confidence interval, 0.12 to 0.16) per subject. A large proportion (61.5%) of eyes with DH had localized wedge-shaped retinal nerve fiber layer defects indicative of glaucoma. There was also a slight increase in DH prevalence with age, but no other statistically significant associations were found. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of DH was 0.14% in urban South Korean subjects 20 years and older. Older age and the presence of glaucomatous retinal nerve fiber layer defects were associated with higher prevalence of DH. These findings suggest that the presence of a DH in an eye implies a high likelihood of glaucoma, although its absence does not indicate that glaucoma is absent.

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of optic disc hemorrhage in Asian patients with established glaucoma using a recently described, highly sensitive detection method. Materials and Methods: Patients entering a trial of glaucoma filtering surgery in Southeast Asia (The Singapore 5FU Study) were assessed for the presence or absence of optic disc hemorrhage using stereo flicker chronoscopy of stereophotograph pairs. Results: A total of 167 patients (117 males and 50 females) were assessed, of whom 128 were Chinese. Primary open-angle glaucoma was diagnosed in 90 patients, primary angle-closure glaucoma in 69 patients, and pseudoexfoliative or pigment dispersion glaucoma in 7 patients. Five eyes of 5 patients had disc hemorrhage at enrollment (5/167), a rate of 2.99%. Four patients with disc hemorrhage had primary open-angle glaucoma and 1 had primary angle-closure glaucoma. There were no significant differences in global visual field indices, AGIS scores, or intraocular pressures between eyes with and without disc hemorrhage. All disc hemorrhages were seen in eyes prior to trabeculectomy. Conclusions: The prevalence of disc hemorrhage in the current study was comparable to that seen in primary open-angle glaucoma in clinic-based studies of white patients, but far less than that reported in normal-tension glaucoma studies. Hemorrhages were more common in primary open-angle glaucoma than primary angleclosure glaucoma.

Visual-field defects may develop after optic-disc hemorrhages. The question whether blood may be a major damaging agent for the optic nerve head will be discussed. A female patient with an optic-di...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To examine the association between disc hemorrhage and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. PATIENTS AND METHODS RNFL thicknesses were measured using optical coherence tomography at the location of disc hemorrhage, at the superior or inferior symmetrical area of the same eyes, and at equivalent locations in contralateral eyes without disc hemorrhage. RNFL thicknesses were compared using the paired-sample t test. For recurrent hemorrhages, the correlation between the number of recurrences and RNFL thickness was examined using Kendall’s tau-b method. RESULTS Thirty-two disc hemorrhages were found in 32 eyes with normal tension or primary open-angle glaucoma. RNFL thicknesses in areas with disc hemorrhage were thinner than those in superior or inferior symmetrical locations in the same eyes (81.7 ± 32.9 vs 100.7 ± 34.5 microns, P = .005), but were not different from those in equivalent locations in contralateral eyes (92.8 ± 31.7 microns, P = .092). Number of recurrent hemorrhages and RNFL thicknesses at sites of recurrent hemorrhages tended to show a negative correlation (correlation coefficient = -0.260, P = .079). CONCLUSIONS Disc hemorrhage is associated with RNFL thinning measured by optical coherence tomography, and a negative correlation was found between recurrent hemorrhages and RNFL thickness. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2007;38:118-125.] AUTHORS From the Department of Ophthalmology (JC, KHP, DMK), Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul; the Seoul Artificial Eye Center (JC, KHP, DMK, TWK), Seoul National University Hospital Clinical Research Institute, Seoul; and the Department of Ophthalmology (TWK), Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea. Accepted for publication December 8, 2006. Address correspondence to Ki Ho Park, MD, PhD, Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, #28 Yongon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea.

PURPOSE To compare clinical characteristics and visual field (VF) progression between glaucomatous eyes with disc hemorrhage (DH) recurring at the same or different locations in relation to the initial DH location. METHODS One hundred forty-seven open-angle glaucoma patients with DH who were observed for more than 4 years and had more than six VF tests were included. Disc hemorrhage that recurred at the same location as the initial DH was defined as a DH at the same location, and DH that recurred at a different location was defined as a DH at a different location. Overall rate of VF change using the mean deviation (MD) was compared between groups using a linear mixed model, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed. RESULTS Seventy-seven (52.4%) eyes had nonrecurrent DH, and 70 (47.6%) eyes had recurrent DH detected during the follow-up period. Recurrent DH at the same location (-0.32 dB/y) was not significantly different from the nonrecurrent DH group in terms of the rate of VF change (P = 0.116). However, the recurrent DH group at different locations (-1.07 dB/y) had a significantly different rate of VF change compared to the recurrent DH group at the same location (P = 0.014). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, eyes with recurrent DH at different locations showed the fastest time to VF progression compared to other groups (log rank test, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Eyes with recurrent DH recurring at different locations from initial DH sites had more pronounced VF progression.

PURPOSE To investigate the topographic characteristics of optic disc hemorrhage (DH) and the factors associated with DH area in POAG. METHODS We enrolled 128 POAG eyes (with DH) of 128 patients consecutively. Digital red-free retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) photographs and digital color stereo disc photographs of the enrolled eyes were reviewed, and the DH locations were measured. The DH area was calculated based on RNFL deviation map/RNFL photographs overlay image. RESULTS Disc hemorrhages were most common in the inferotemporal inferior sector (58.0%) and the disc rim (40.6%) in terms of octant and proximal location, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, a larger DH area was associated with older age (P < 0.01), use of acetylsalicylic acid (P = 0.03), lower cup-to-disc ratio (P < 0.01), and lower baseline IOP (P = 0.01). In normal-baseline IOP-POAG eyes (n = 88), the overall DH area and length of maximum radial extent of DH were larger than in high-baseline IOP-POAG eyes (n = 40) (P = 0.04 and 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In POAG eyes, DH was larger in area and longer in length in cases of normal-baseline IOP than in cases of high-baseline IOP. This suggests the possibility that previous studies' findings of higher DH prevalence and incidence in normal-baseline IOP-POAG eyes were partially affected by these topographic characteristics, which make DH more easily detectable.

Purpose: To investigate whether there are differences in ocular risk factors reportedly associated with the development of normal tension glaucoma (NTG) between glaucomatous eyes and normal visual field (VF) eyes of monocular NTG patients. Methods: Thirty-six patients who had NTG in one eye and normal RNFL and VF in the fellow eye were included in this hospital-based cross-sectional retrospective survey. We analyzed the difference between glaucomatous eyes and normal VF eyes according to an intra-individual, inter-ocular comparison of ocular parameters, including intraocular pressures (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), optic disc size, myopia, optic disc hemorrhage, and zone β of peripapillary atrophy. Measurements of optic disc size and area and the angular and radial extent of zone β were obtained using a Heidelberg Retina Tomograph. We also evaluated the correlation of each parameter with mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD). Results: There were no inter-ocular differences of IOP, CCT, optic disc size, or myopia (n=36). Optic disc hemorrhage was found in only three glaucomatous eyes. The area of zone β was greater in glaucomatous eyes than in normal VF eyes (p=0.003). No parameters were correlated with MD or PSD. Conclusions: Except for optic disc hemorrhage and zone β area, all other parameters showed no inter-ocular differences. The asymmetry of disc hemorrhage and zone β area in monocular NTG patients implies that optic disc ischemia might play a role in the pathogenesis of NTG.