ABSTRACT

In this study our aim is to determine the differences in HRTII parameters of patients who had glaucoma suspected optic discs and increased intraocular pressure in follow up.

Fifty-eight eyes of 29 (18 female and 11 male) with a mean age of 49.30 ±8.40 years that were previously under follow-up due to glaucoma suspect in respect to the appearance of glaucomatous cupping, who have HRTII examination, normal CCT, normal visual field and have increased IOP in follow-up; and control group with 32 eyes of 16 (10 female, 6 male) with a mean age of 53.20±7.40 years with physiological optic discs but with HRTII examination taken in routine examination included in the study. The first and the last IOP, the first and the last HRTII global values, age and sexes were compared, retrospectively.

The follow up time of patients those with increased IOP was 9.10±3.69 years and the control group’s was 10.13±0.62 years. The difference between the last and the first measured IOP of the study group was statistically significantly higher than the control group’s (p<0.05). There was no difference in age, sex distribution, disc areas and between the first and the last examination time interval (p>0.05). In our study global optic disc variables were found to change with same ratio over time both in study and the control group in means of cup area, c/d area ratio, and rim area. There was no difference in HRTII parameters; cup area, cup volume, cup / disc area ratio, mean cup depth and maximum cup depth between the first and the last examinations in the study group but these measured results are statistically higher in baseline when compared with the control group.

As a conclusion, one of the major challenges in the management of glaucoma is the early detection of the disease. Although it is a small scale, this study is the first that has shown optic disc structural analysis with HRTII in a glaucoma suspect population before and after IOP increases. Our study has shown that especially baseline cup area, mean cup depth and maximum cup depth may be a risk factor for IOP increase in follow up. Thus, detecting a glaucomatous change in the optic nerve head parameters before IOP increase may be a predictor of future ocular hypertension and primary open angle glaucoma patients. More studies in large scales have to be done for support of our findings. (JAREM 2013; 3: 69-73)

Keywords: Glaucoma, HRTII, intraocular pressure, ocular hypertension