Chaudary Nasir Ahmad, Syed Raza Ali Shah, Ateeq Yousif, Asad Aslam Khan.
Comparison of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness obtained by HRT and functional parameters by standard automated perimeter in diagnosis of glaucoma.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;5(1):27-30.

Objective: To assess the difference and correlation of selected structural and functional methods in the diagnosis of glaucoma by the evaluation of Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and visual field defects. Methods: 60 patients including 37 males and 23 females referred at glaucoma clinic (PIPO) Mayo Hospital, Lahore were included in the study. They all underwent tests for visual acuity, slit lamp examination, refraction, fundus examination including Cup Disc ratio, Gonioscopy for status of angle, HRT and VF. The significance between the two groups was assessed by means of ‘T’-Test and correlation analysis. Results: 5 out of the 60 patients had RNFL thickness defect, but they had normal VF, IOP and symmetrical CD ratio. 7 patients with no VF defects with IOP in range of 18-25, CDR 0.4-0.7, had RNFL defects (they were labeled as glaucoma patients and given treatment). 3 patients diagnosed with glaucoma had normal RNFL thickness. HRT found significant parameters CA, CD ratio, Rim-disc ratio, RV (p<0.05). The loss of NFL was significantly different (p<0.01) among glaucomatous and healthy patients. Another correlation was found by comparison of RNFL thickness loss to MD (p=0.03). Conclusion: By comparison of HRT and automated perimetry among the glaucomatous patients it is concluded that the combination of structural and functional methods can positively improve diagnosis of early glaucoma and better recognize the progression of glaucomatous neuropathy of the optic nerve.

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