Early Detection of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma by Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract

Purpose: To measure and analyze thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer using
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).
Material and Methods: This study was conducted in ophthalmology department
PNS Shifa, Karachi. From March 2013 to Jan 2015 for 23 months. A total of 350
glaucoma suspect patients were selected. A detailed history of ocular or
systemic diseases was taken. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured using
Goldmann Applanation tonometer. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
images were taken using Heidelberg HRA + OCT Spectralis machine.
Results: Patients with a mean age of 35 ± 12 years were included. Out of 350
patients, 140 (40%) patients were female and 210 (60%) were male. Mean IOP
was 25 ± 5 mm Hg, mode was 23 mm Hg and median 26 mm Hg. Out of these
350 suspects, only 28 patients were found to have nerve fiber layer thickness
outside the normal limits i.e. decreased in half a quadrants or more.
Conclusion: Ocular coherence tomography nerve fiber layer thickness analysis
is a quick and effective method to diagnose early and borderline cases of
glaucoma.
Key Words: Optical coherence tomography (OCT), retinal nerve fiber layer
(RNFL), glaucoma, intraocular pressure (IOP).