The assessment of structural changes on optic nerve head and macula in primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

aimTo assess morphological changes in macula, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and optic nevre head (ONH) of cases with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OH) with spectral domain optic coherence tomography (OCT).

methodsThis study included 109 eyes from 62 POAG patients, 50 eyes from 30 OH patients, and 101 eyes from 53 healthy volunteers. Data gained by OCT were compared with perimetry indexes. ONH, RNFL and macula analysis were performed for all subjects. Rim area, disc area, average cup/disc (C/D) ratio, vertical C/D ratio, cup volume data were recorded during ONH analysis. Average RNFL thickness and the thickness of four quadrants (superior, inferior, nasal and temporal) was established in microns. In total, nine macular quadrants involving the foveal region mentioned in the Early Treatment Diabetic Treatment Study (ETDRS) template were measured, and average macular thickness and macular volume data were recorded during macula analysis. Differences between groups were evaluated with the one-way ANOVA test. Tukey's multiple comparison test was performed to detect difference between groups. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was done for early stage POAG patients to establish sensitivity and specificity of chosen parameters in early stage POAG. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) values were calculated to compare ROC areas.

resultsStatistically significant differences were found in all ONH parameters, except optic disc area. Neuroretinal rim area was identified as the parameter with the highest difference between groups (

conclusionAlthough the assessment of ONH and the analysis of macular thickness are important in diagnosis and treatment, RNFL assessment is the most valuable parameter.