Macular Area with the Glaucoma Patients

Overview

Purpose:
to evaluate the possible use of HRT II and OCT 3 for detection and monitoring of glaucoma changes in the macular area.

Methods:
in the retrospective study 65 eyes (13 healthy and 52 with primary open angle glaucoma) of 36 patients have been monitored. All patients underwent complete ophthalmologic examination including visual acuity testing, biomicroscopy of fundus, computer perimetry, HRT II and eleven patients were examined using OCT 3. The visual field has been tested on HFA (Humphrey Field Analyzer) using the full threshold test 30–2. Foveolar sensitivity and foveolar sensitivity compared to the age have been evaluated. The optic nerve head has been examined and subsequently evaluated using HRT II. The retinal nerve fiber layer (t-RNFL) and Cup Shape Measurement (t-CSM) in the temporal area have been monitored. The macula has been examined on OCT 3. Foveolar thickness, inner and outer macular thickness, average macular thickness and aggregate macular volume have been monitored.

Results:
decrease of the visual acuity and foveolar sensitivity have been registered with the deterioration of the visual field. Further general decrease of the value of t-RNFL and increase of the t-CSM index have been registered from the results of the HRT II examinations. This corresponds to decrease of the nerve fibers and excavation deepening in the temporal area. Average macular thickness and total macular volume examined on OCT 3 demonstrate aggregate decrease of values with the progressive changes in the visual field.

Conclusion:
with the progressive visual field changes with the open angle glaucoma patients occurs also deterioration of finding in the macular area. Changes discovered using the subjective examination and expressed as a slight decrease of the visual acuity as well as decrease of the foveolar sensitivity on HFA can be objectively proved using HRT II and OCT 3.

Key words:
foveolar sensitivity, open angle glaucoma, HRT II, macular area, OCT 3