Search

Purpose: Whether retinal degeneration is part of the degenerative processes in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is still unclear. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to compare the retinal morphology of patients with PD and healthy controls using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and scanning laser polarimetry (SLP). Methods: Both eyes of patients with PD (n = 108) and healthy controls (n = 165) were examined using SD-OCT and SLP on the same day. Data on the thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) of all quadrants and the macular area were acquired by OCT (Cirrus, Zeiss). The SLP device (Glaucoma diagnostics (GDx), Zeiss) measured the RNFL and calculated the nerve fibre index (NFI). All patients and probands were checked for concomitant ocular disorders by an ophthalmologist. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), objective refraction and the anterior and posterior segment were assessed. Results: Patients with PD showed a reduced macular volume and a reduced central subfield thickness in OCT examinations. The RNFL in the different quadrants did not differ significantly from that of controls. SLP data showed a reduced average RNFL thickness, a decreased thickness of the inferior quadrant and an increase of the NFI in patients with PD. Conclusion: PD may be associated with reduced thickness and volume of the macula and a reduced thickness of the RNFL in the inferior quadrant of the retina. Investigations using SD-OCT and SLP revealed distinct but significant differences between patients with PD and healthy controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To evaluate the effect of typical scan score ( TSS), when within the acceptable limits, on the diagnostic performance of retinal nerve fibre layer ( RNFL) parameters with the enhanced corneal compensation ( ECC) protocol of scanning laser polarimetry ( SLP) in glaucoma. Methods In a cross-sectional study, 203 eyes of 160 glaucoma patients and 140 eyes of 104 control subjects underwent RNFL imaging with the ECC protocol of SLP. TSS was used to quantify atypical birefringence pattern ( ABP) images. Influence of TSS on the diagnostic ability of SLP parameters was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) regression models after adjusting for the effect of disease severity [based on mean deviation ( MD)] on standard automated perimetry). Results Diagnostic abilities of all RNFL parameters of SLP increased when the TSS values were higher. This effect was statistically significant for TSNIT (coefficient: 0.08, p < 0.001) and inferior average parameters (coefficient: 0.06, p = 0.002) but not for nerve fibre indicator ( NFI, coefficient: 0.03, p = 0.21). In early glaucoma ( MD of −5 dB), predicted area under ROC curve ( AUC) for TSNIT average parameter improved from 0.642 at a TSS of 90 to 0.845 at a TSS of 100. In advanced glaucoma ( MD of −15 dB), AUC for TSNIT average improved from 0.832 at a TSS of 90 to 0.947 at 100. Conclusion Diagnostic performances of TSNIT and inferior average RNFL parameters with ECC protocol of SLP were significantly influenced by TSS even when the TSS values were within the acceptable limits. Diagnostic ability of NFI was unaffected by TSS values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

. Purpose: To compare the thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) in hydrophthalmic glaucomatous eyes in children with age-matched healthy controls using scanning laser polarimetry with variable corneal compensation (GDxVCC). Methods: Twenty hydrophthalmic eyes of 20 patients with the mean age of 10.64 ± 3.02 years being treated for congenital or infantile glaucoma were included in the analysis. Evaluation of RNFL thickness measured by GDxVCC in standard Temporal-Superior-Nasal-Inferior-Temporal (TSNIT) parameters was performed. The results were compared to TSNIT values of an age-matched control group of 120 healthy children published recently as referential values. The correlation between horizontal corneal diameter and RNFL thickness in hydrophthalmic eyes was also investigated. Results: The mean ± SD values in TSNIT Average, Superior Average, Inferior Average and TSNIT SD in hydrophthalmic eyes were 52.3 ± 11.4, 59.7 ± 17.1, 62.0 ± 15.6 and 20.0 ± 7.8 μm, respectively. All these values were significantly lower compared to referential TSNIT parameters of age-matched healthy eyes (p = 0.021, p = 0.001, p = 0.003 and p = 0.018, respectively). A substantial number of hydrophthalmic eyes laid below the level of 5% probability of normality in respective TSNIT parameters: 30% of the eyes in TSNIT average, 50% of the eyes in superior average, 30% of the eyes in inferior average and 45% of the eyes in TSNIT SD. No significant correlation between enlarged corneal diameter and RNFL thickness was found. Conclusions: The mean values of all standard TSNIT parameters assessed using GDxVCC in hydrophthalmic glaucomatous eyes in children were significantly lower in comparison with referential values of healthy age-matched children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to compare scanning laser polarimetry measurements of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness in eyes of migraine patients with those in eyes of age-matched, healthy subjects. Methods: The study was designed as an observational, prospective, cross-sectional study. It included 57 eyes of 57 patients with migraine with or without aura according to the criteria of the International Headache Society and 44 eyes of 44 age-matched healthy controls. Scanning laser polarimetry images were obtained using a commercial GDx VCC system (Version 5.3.1; Laser Diagnostic Technologies, Inc.). At each sitting, three sets of GDx VCC measurements were acquired for each patient and used in the analysis. Image acquisition was performed in undilated eyes in all subjects. Results: The mean ± standard deviation RNFL average thickness parameter in the migraine subjects was significantly lower than in the control group, at 50.4 ± 4.8 μm versus 54.7 ± 3.4 μm, respectively (p < 0.0001). However, there were no differences between migraine subjects and controls in mean RNFL thickness in superior and inferior areas. In the migraine group the mean migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) score was 34.3 ± 15.3 and the mean number of attacks per year was 17.1 ± 6.9 (range 6−28). The mean RNFL average thickness parameter was significantly correlated with MIDAS score ( r = − 0.86, p < 0.0001) and frequency of attacks ( r = − 0.86, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The mean RNFL average thickness parameter was found to be thinner in migraine patients. In addition, we found a strong correlation between migraine severity and RNFL average thickness parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aimed to determine prospectively the incidence of abnormal test results on frequency doubling perimetry (FDT), the nerve fibre analyser (GDx) and standard automated perimetry (SAP) in a cohort of glaucoma suspect patients with normal findings for all these tests at baseline. Methods: Seventy glaucoma suspect patients were followed prospectively for 4 years with SAP (Humphrey field analyser 30-2 SITA Fast), FDT (C-20 full-threshold) and GDx (Version 2.010) in a clinical setting. All patients had normal baseline test results on SAP, FDT and GDx. After the follow-up period, the number of patients who converted (whose test results changed from normal at baseline to reproducibly abnormal during follow-up) were counted for each technique and then compared. The cut-off point for FDT was > 1 depressed test-point p < 0.01 in the total deviation probability plot; the cut-off point for GDx was the Number > 29. Results: Of the 70 glaucoma suspect patients, three converted on FDT, 14 on GDx and six on SAP. These proportions are significantly different for GDx versus SAP (p = 0.033) and GDx versus FDT (p = 0.002), but not for FDT versus SAP (p = 0.256). Conclusions: The most frequent finding after a 4-year follow-up was conversion on GDx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A polarization-sensitive spectral domain optical coherence tomography (PS-SD-OCT) system is used to measure phase retardation and birefringence of the human retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in vivo. The instrument records three parameters simultaneously: intensity, phase retardation and optic-axis orientation. 3D data sets are recorded in the optic nerve-head area of a healthy and a glaucomatous eye, and the results are presented in various ways: En-face phase-retardation maps of the RNFL are generated from the recorded 3D data and results are compared with scanning laser polarimetry (SLP). The depth information provided by OCT is used to segment the RNFL in the intensity image and measure the RNFL thickness. From the retardation and thickness data, 2D birefringence maps of the RNFL are derived. Circumpapillary plots of RNFL retardation and thickness obtained by PS-SD-OCT are quantitatively compared with those obtained by SLP. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To measure changes in the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer in normal and early glaucomatous dogs with scanning laser polarimetry. Animals studied A total of 45 eyes, 32 normal and 13 glaucomatous eyes, of American Cocker Spaniels with primary glaucoma were used. All eyes were evaluated through a complete neuro-ophthalmic examination, tonometry, gonioscopy, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and indirect ophthalmoscopy prior to enucleation. Methods The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was measured in anesthetized animals with scanning laser polarimetry (Nerve fiber analyzer, GDx; Laser Diagnostic Technologies, LTD, San Diego, CA, USA). Glaucomatous eyes retained some vision at the time of this study. Results The mean ± SD of the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was 141.69 ± 18 µm for normal dogs and 105.08 ± 23.86 µm for visual glaucomatous dogs. The average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the superior and inferior retinal quadrants was 148.03 ± 8.5 and 141.06 ± 8.73 µm, respectively, for normal dogs, and 106.61 ± 25.77 and 107.08 ± 24.99 µm in the superior and inferior retinal quadrants, respectively, for glaucomatous dogs. The superior to nasal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness ratio was 1.45 for normal dogs and 1.26 for visual glaucomatous dogs. Conclusions Using scanning laser polarimetry it was possible to detect changes in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in glaucomatous dogs at early stages of the disease. Therefore, this instrument has the potential to improve the clinical management of canine glaucoma by detecting progressive changes to the retinal nerve fiber layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the effect of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) removal on anterior segment birefringence (ASB) and its influence on peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) retardation measurements obtained by means of scanning laser polarimetry. Methods: In this prospective interventional study, scanning laser polarimetry was performed using GDx variable corneal compensation on 26 eyes of 26 patients who developed clinically significant PCO (after uncomplicated cataract surgery and with no other ocular pathology) both before and between 1 and 4 weeks after Nd:YAG capsulotomy. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, corneal polarization axis (CPA), corneal polarization magnitude (CPM) were compared using the Student t-test and Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Spearman correlations between changes (differences between values after and before capsulotomy) in the CPA, CPM, BCVA and RNFL data were also performed. Results: PCO removal is associated with a shift in CPA (from 10.86 to 15.03 degrees, P = 0.004) and CPM (from 28.54 to 37.92 nm, P = 0.004). Significant correlations were found between changes in the parameters of ASB and BCVA. Furthermore, RNFL measurements (nerve fibre indicator, temporal-superior-nasal-inferior-temporal average and superior average) were also well related to the CPA and CPM shifts. Conclusions: PCO induces an inaccurate compensation of ASB which affects RNFL assessment. Thus, it is necessary to recompensate ASB after posterior capsulotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the abilities of scanning laser polarimetry with the variable corneal compensator (GDx VCC) with those of optical coherence tomography (Stratus OCT) in discriminating between healthy and early-to-moderate perimetric glaucomatous eyes. Methods: A total of 95 glaucomatous patients (mean deviation − 3.7 ± 3.0 dB, pattern standard deviation 4.5 ± 2.7 dB) and 62 control subjects underwent imaging by the GDx VCC and Stratus OCT using both optic nerve head (ONH) and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) scan protocols. One eye per patient was considered. Sensitivity at ≥ 90% specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AROC) were calculated for each GDx VCC and Stratus OCT index. Results: The largest AROCs with Stratus OCT were associated with cup : disc area ratio (0.88) for ONH scan indices, and with average thickness (0.84) for RNFL scan indices. The nerve fibre indicator provided the greatest AROC for the GDx VCC indices (0.85). Conclusions: Both the GDx VCC and Stratus OCT instruments were shown to be useful in the detection of glaucomatous damage. The best performing indices for the GDx VCC and Stratus OCT with both ONH and RNFL scans gave similar AROCs, showing a moderate sensitivity in early-to-moderate glaucoma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate whether a significant age-related thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) is measurable by means of scanning laser polarimetry with variable corneal compensation (GDx-VCC) in a sample of healthy eyes. Methods: A sample of 324 eyes of 324 healthy subjects (mean age 56 ± 14 years, range 21–85 years) underwent a complete ophthalmic evaluation, standard automated perimetry and RNFL scan with the GDx-VCC. Temporal-superior-nasal-inferior-temporal (TSNIT), superior and inferior average (SA and IA) values provided on the printout were collected and their mean value averaged from all eyes and also after separating the eyes by gender and by age decades. The values of the three parameters were plotted against age and linear regression was calculated. Results: Ageing is associated with a significant RNFL thinning (0.08 µ, 0.16 µ and 0.12 µ per year for TSNIT, SA and IA, respectively; p < 0.001). Analysis showed a similar association with age decade (p < 0.001 onanova). For the TSNIT average, a 9.5% thinning from baseline values was estimated for a 65-year lifespan. Corresponding values for SA and IA were 16.2% and 11.7%, respectively. Conclusions: Analysis by GDx-VCC confirmed previous reports about significant age-related RNFL thinning. However, a lower rate per year was found, probably because GDx-VCC measurements are much more reliable than those obtained with the previous generation of polarimeters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Previous investigations have suggested that initial retinal damage from chloroquine toxicity occurs in ganglion cells, and other ocular tissues are affected only later on. The aim of this study was to evaluate retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness measurements, as assessed by scanning laser polarimetry, in a group of patients under long-term treatment with chloroquine. Methods: This case–control study included 34 patients using chloroquine diphosphate and 34 age-matched healthy subjects with no previous history of chloroquine intake. All subjects underwent RNFL assessment using the GDx – Nerve Fibre Analyser (software v.2.0.01). One eye of each patient was randomly selected for statistical analysis. Peripapillary RNFL measurements were compared between the two groups. For patients using chloroquine, the correlation between RNFL measurements and chloroquine dosage was assessed. Results: Mean ± SD RNFL thickness for patients using chloroquine was 60.6 ± 11.2 µm, 65.6 ± 13.2 µm, 74.8 ± 14.8 µm, 36.2 ± 9.6 µm and 43.8 ± 7.9 µm for global, superior, inferior, temporal and nasal regions, respectively. In the control group, the corresponding values were 72.1 ± 12.7 µm, 79.9 ± 14.8 µm, 88.3 ± 14.0 µm, 44.2 ± 12.8 µm and 49.7 ± 11.9 µm. Mean RNFL thickness measurements from patients using chloroquine were significantly different from those in the control group in all regions ( P < 0.05). Thinner RNFL thickness measurements were associated with higher daily dosages of chloroquine. Conclusion: Patients under long-term chloroquine treatment had significantly lower RNFL thickness measurements than healthy subjects, and the RNFL loss was correlated to chloroquine daily dosage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tan FU, Akarsu C, Güllü R. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness is unaffected in migraine patients.Acta Neurol Scand 2005 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2005.00423.x© Blackwell Munksgaard 2005.To search for possible structural effects of migraine on the retina.The study group included 39 consecutive migraine patients, 15 with visual aura and 24 without aura, and 25 healthy subjects as the control group. Scanning laser polarimetry was used to measure and compare retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness between migraine and control groups.The mean age of the patients and the control group were 35.64 ± 8.3 and 35.96 ± 9.14 years, respectively (P = 0.92) and the mean duration of migraine in patients with aura and without aura as 4.4 ± 2.9 and 5.3 ± 4.3 years, respectively (P = 0.68). Parameters related to RNFL thickness were found to be similar (P > 0.001) in migraine and control subjects. After examining the whole patient group migraine patients with and without aura were compared to each other and the control group individually for RNFL thickness parameters. Briefly no statistical difference was found for any of the test parameters between migraine patients with aura, without aura and controls (P >0.001).Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was found to be unaffected in migraine patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To test the correlation between optic disc topography (as measured by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy[CSLO]) and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) measurements (as measured by scanning laser polarimetry[SLP]) in glaucoma.A total of 112 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and 88 normal individuals were enrolled in the study. All individuals underwent a thorough ophthalmic evaluation, a 24–2 full threshold Humphrey visual field, SLP with the GDx (Version 1.0.12) and CSLO with the TOPSS. Receiver operator characteristic curves were created for each individual CSLO and SLP parameter. Linear correlations between the four best parameters from each device were calculated. Finally, linear correlations between the same variables, controlled for the severity of visual field damage, were calculated.The best individual parameters in the diagnosis of glaucoma for each device were cup area, vertical cup : disc ratio, cup : disc area ratio and average cup depth for CSLO, and the Number, maximum modulation, ellipse modulation and superior nasal for SLP. Moderate to strong correlations were observed in 62% of the pairs. However, only 6% and 12% of the correlations remained moderate when we controlled for the visual field mean deviation and correct pattern standard deviation, respectively.The correlation between optic disc topography and RNFL measurements in glaucoma patients is moderate and highly dependent on the level of visual field loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the influence of age, sex, race, refractive error and optic disc topography on the sensitivity and specificity of scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) in the diagnosis of glaucoma. A total of 88 normal individuals and 95 glaucoma patients were included in this study. Glaucoma was defined on the basis of both optic nerve damage and visual field defects. Scanning laser polarimetry, optic disc topography, automated perimetry and refractometry were performed in all subjects. The sensitivity and specificity of SLP were assessed applying a previously calculated cut-off to a previously described linear discriminant function (LDF). The sensitivity and specificity of SLP in the study population were 82% and 83%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were not affected by age, sex, race, average disc diameter or disc area. The sensitivity of SLP tended to be higher in myopes (93%) than in emmetropes (80%) and hyperopes (71%) (p = 0.08). Sensitivities were higher in individuals with cup areas > 0.96 mm2 (89%), rim areas ≤ 1.36 mm2 (92%), and cup area/disc area ratios > 0.45 (89%) (p < 0.05). Stepwise logistic regression analysis indicated that the presence of a cup area > 0.96 mm2 and a rim area < 1.36 mm2 significantly increased the sensitivity of the LDF, whereas a cup area/disc area ratio ≤ 0.45 significantly increased the specificity of the LDF. The sensitivity and specificity of SLP may be influenced by refractive error and optic disc parameters that are affected by glaucomatous damage (cup area, rim area and cup area/disc area ratio). These parameters must be considered in studies evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of optic nerve/retinal nerve fibre layer imaging technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the possibility for detecting the progression in preperimetric primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) using scanning laser polarimetry (SLP), frequency-doubling technology (FDT), and conventional automated perimetry (AP). Patients and methods: 22 eyes of 11 preperimetric POAG patients were evaluated using SLP (Nerve Fiber Analyzer, GDx), AP (Humphrey 24-2 threshold test) and FDT (30 ° threshold test). All eyes had intraocular pressure (IOP) higher than 21 mmHg before treatment, but were consistently lower than 22 mm Hg with unchanged topical medication before and during the study. At the initial evaluation session optic nerve heads showed mild glaucomatous changes but the visual fields were normal (MD better than 2.0 dB, Glaucoma Hemifield Test: within normal limits or borderline). AP and FDT measurements were repeated 6 months later, and all three tests were repeated 12 months after the first investigation. Results: IOP, AP and FDT measurements showed no statistically significant changes during the 12-month follow up period. In contrast to this, a tendency for a glaucomatous type decrease was seen with SLP in the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness parameters (mean superior and inferior sector thickness values, ellipse average thickness and maximal modulation). The mean decrease of RNFL thickness in the superior and inferior sectors was 2.77 μm and 2.48 μm, respectively. Using the two-way nested ANOVA, which considers the relation between the right and left eyes of the subjects, the decrease was statistically significant (p=0.021) for the inferior sector RNFL thickness. Conclusion: The results suggest that scanning laser polarimetry is a useful technique to detect and measure glaucomatous progression in early glaucoma. Scanning laser polarimetry of the RNFL may help to detect and quantify early progression even if worsening is not seen with perimetry and FDT tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the RNFL thickness in eyes with myelinated retinal nerve fibers (MRNF) and age, sex-matched controls using scanning laser polarimetry. Methods: Seventeen patients with MRNF underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological examination including automated visual field testing, and scanning laser polarimetry with Nerve Fiber Analyser (NFA II). Twenty eyes with MRNF from 17 patients were available for the study. Sixteen healthy, age and sex-matched subjects were taken as controls. Retinal nerve fiber thickness measurements of the four sectors (superior, inferior, nasal, temporal) and along the whole circumference of the optic disc were obtained for affected and control eyes, and compared. Results: Inferior average and inferior integral parameters of the NFA revealed significantly thinner RNFL thickness measurements in eyes with inferiorly located MRNF compared to controls. Conclusion: Retinal myelination alters the birefringent property of the RNFL, and results in diminished thickness measurements. Hence, NFA measurements in patients with MRNF may not be reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report the prevalence of glaucoma in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort (NFBC) Eye Study., Methods: Subjects of the population-based Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort (NFBC), aged 45-49 years at the time of the field examination, were randomized to eye screening (50%) and control (50%) groups. The eye examination protocol included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), measurements of intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness, Humphrey 24-2 perimetry, stereoscopic optic nerve head (ONH) and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) photography and imaging with optical coherence tomography (OCT), scanning laser polarimetry (GDx) and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (HRT). The diagnosis of glaucoma was made by two independent general ophthalmologists and three independent glaucoma experts based on the evaluation of the ONH and RNFL photographs and the visual fields., Results: Totally, 10 321 subjects of the NFBC main study were alive in Finland in 2011, and they were randomized to the NFBC Eye Study group (n = 5155) and the control group (n = 5166). Of the randomized subjects, 3039 of 5155 (59%) responded and had sufficient data for the study. Glaucoma was suspected in 172 subjects (5.7%) at the first phase of the evaluation protocol. The interobserver agreement between two screening ophthalmologists was moderately good (kappa value 0.54 [95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.46-0.61]). Finally, definite glaucoma was found in 33 subjects (1.1% [95% CI 0.8-1.5])., Conclusion: The study provides up-to-date information on the prevalence of glaucoma in a middle-aged Caucasian population in Finland. The baseline data reported here allows the evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of screening later on., (© 2018 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: To compare visual field (VF) and nerve fibre loss in patients with normal-tension (NTG) and high-tension glaucoma (HTG) at an equal level of glaucomatous structural damage of the optic nerve head (ONH)., Methods: In a retrospective, pair-matched, comparative study, 126 eyes with NTG and 126 eyes with HTG were matched according to the same glaucomatous ONH damage based on rim volume, rim area and disc size measured by the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT III). Visual field by Humphrey perimetry and nerve fibre layer thickness measured by scanning laser polarimetry (GdxVCC) were compared between both groups., Results: Based on the HRT, NTG and HTG displayed comparable structural damage of the ONH without a statistically significant difference between both groups (mean, NTG/HTG: disc area 2.32/2.32 mm², p =0.342; rim area 1.03/1.00 mm², p = 0.279; rim volume 0.2/0.19 mm³; p = 0.274). Eyes with NTG had significantly less VF damage than eyes with HTG (mean, NTG/HTG: mean deviation (MD) -3.69/-9.77 dB, p = 0.0001; pattern standard deviation (PSD) 4.80/7.17 dB, p = 0.0001). The nerve fibre layer of NTG patients was thicker than that of HTG patients (mean, NTG/HTG: GDx total: 46.9/44.0 μm, p = 0.073; GDx superior: 57.2/49.9 μm, p = 0.0001; GDx inferior: 54.9/49.7 μm, p = 0.001)., Conclusions: At an equal level of glaucomatous structural damage of the ONH indicated by cupping, rim area and rim volume, NTG patients seem to have a less affected visual field and a better preserved nerve fibre layer than HTG patients., (© 2013 The Authors. Acta Ophthalmologica © 2013 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the presence of abnormalities in the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with normal ophthalmic examination, and to compare the ability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and scanning laser polarimetry (GDx) to detect axonal loss., Methods: Patients with MS and disease-free controls were invited to enrol in the study from 1 February 2007 to 30 June 2008. Ophthalmic examination, including evaluation of visual acuity (VA) and visual field (VF), showed normal results in all subjects. Retinal nerve fibre layer properties were measured by means of OCT and GDx. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were also recorded., Results: Forty eyes of 40 MS patients and 20 eyes of age- and sex-matched controls were included in the study. Despite normal VA and VF results, significant differences between the two groups were observed in VF mean deviation (MD), most of the RNFL measurements provided by OCT and GDx, and VEP P100 latency and amplitude. There was a significant correlation between OCT and GDx parameters, and between these parameters and VEP results. Nineteen MS eyes (35.7%) showed RNFL abnormalities detected either by OCT or GDx., Discussion: Sub-clinical ganglion cell loss can be detected in MS patients with normal visual function. Both OCT and GDx are useful complementary tools with which to identify this damage., (© 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 Acta Ophthalmol.)