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Influence of optic disc size on parameters of retinal nerve fiber analysis with laser scanning polarimetry

  • Clinical Investigation
  • Published:
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of optic disc size on the variables of laser scanning polarimetry (GDx).

Patients and methods

One hundred and nineteen healthy controls and 161 patients with ocular hypertension (OHT) received detailed ophthalmologic investigation with respect to glaucoma including retinal nerve fiber analysis with GDx (Version 3.0.05×1; Laser Diagnostic Technologies Europe). Optic disc size was measured with planimetry using 15° optic disc photographs. With respect to frequency of optic disc size in the normal population patients were divided in quartiles of equal sample size.

Results

The ratio between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the superior and inferior areas in relation to the nasal and temporal regions decreases significantly with increasing optic disc size and the difference between the highest and lowest retinal nerve fiber layer thickness decreases significantly with increasing optic disc size. The results of multivariate neural network analysis increased with larger optic disc size in controls as well as in patients with OHT. Linear regression analysis showed an increase of 9 units (the Number) per 1 mm2 of optic disc size. A Number above 30, which indicates suspected glaucoma, was detected in more than a third of the normal population investigated if the optic disc area was larger than 3.5 mm2. Overall, patients with OHT had a higher Number than controls (20.5±11.5 vs. 18.1±10.4; p>0.05), but the difference between the two groups did not reach a significant level.

Conclusions

Retinal nerve fiber analysis in patients with an optic disc size larger than 3.5 mm2 should be interpreted carefully; the Number in particular requires corrections for optic disc size.

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Acknowledgements

Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft SFB 539 “Glaukome und Pseudoexfoliationssyndrom.”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany

    Robert Laemmer, Folkert K. Horn, Arne Viestenz, Anselm G. Juenemann & Christian Y. Mardin

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  1. Robert Laemmer
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  2. Folkert K. Horn
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  3. Arne Viestenz
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  4. Anselm G. Juenemann
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  5. Christian Y. Mardin
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Correspondence to Robert Laemmer.

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Laemmer, R., Horn, F.K., Viestenz, A. et al. Influence of optic disc size on parameters of retinal nerve fiber analysis with laser scanning polarimetry. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmo 244, 603–608 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-005-0125-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-005-0125-1

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