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SD-OCT identifies localized, heterogeneous RNFL thickening in glaucoma
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography may be the only imaging technique that identifies temporary retinal nerve fiber layer thickening in glaucomatous eyes, according to a poster presented here.
"Localized, heterogeneous thickening of the RNFL has to our knowledge never been described before in glaucoma. In our cases, it is only identifiable with SD-OCT," Josine van der Schoot, MD, and colleagues said in a poster at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting.
The retrospective case series evaluated 117 glaucoma patients and 91 healthy participants from a large follow-up study on glaucoma progression.
Seven of the glaucoma patients showed the localized, heterogeneously structured RNFL thickening when measured with the Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering). None of the healthy eyes revealed this type of thickening.
In addition, scanning laser polarimetry (GDx, Carl Zeiss Meditec) and scanning laser photography (HRT, Heidelberg Engineering) did not display such thickening in any case.
After 6 months, spectral-domain OCT images showed the absence of thickening in the same location of the same eyes.
Further study is necessary to determine the pathogenesis and consequences of the condition, according to the poster.
- Disclosure: Dr. van der Schoot has no direct financial interests in the products or companies mentioned in this article.