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Abstract #48993 Published in IGR 14-1
Relationship between progression of visual field damage and choroidal thickness in eyes with normal-tension glaucoma
Hirooka K; Fujiwara A; Shiragami C; Baba T; Shiraga FClinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 2012; 40: 576-582
BACKGROUND: To measure choroidal thickness in normal eyes and in patients with normal-tension glaucoma using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography and evaluate the association between choroidal thickness and progression of visual field damage. DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparative study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 62 eyes of 62 normal subjects and 45 eyes of 45 normal-tension glaucoma patients were examined. METHODS: The choroid was measured at the fovea and 3 mm nasal and temporal from the fovea. In a separate analysis, we examined both eyes of normal-tension glaucoma patients. After measuring the visual fields using automated perimetry, we then calculated the changes in the mean deviation per year (dB/year), i.e., the mean deviation slope. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures included the differences in the choroidal thickness between normal subjects and patients with normal-tension glaucoma, and the relationship between the mean deviation slope and the choroidal thickness in normal-tension glaucoma eyes. RESULTS: As compared to normal eyes, the choroidal thickness was significantly thinner at 3 mm nasal from the fovea in the normal-tension glaucoma eyes (P = 0.02). Subsequent analysis indicated there was a significant correlation between this choroidal thinning and the mean deviation slope (Pearson r = 0.413; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in the thickness of the choroid at 3 mm nasal from the fovea in normal-tension glaucoma eyes may be associated with a progressive visual field loss. Thus, these findings suggest that choroidal abnormalities may play a role in the pathogenesis of normal-tension glaucoma.
Department of Ophthalmology, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine, 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan.
Full articleClassification:
9.2.4 Normal pressure glaucoma (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.2 Primary open angle glaucomas)
6.6.2 Automated (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods > 6.6 Visual field examination and other visual function tests)
6.9.2.2 Posterior (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods > 6.9 Computerized image analysis > 6.9.2 Optical coherence tomography)
