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Optic disc torsion may predict site of normal-tension glaucoma damage
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Optic disc torsion and tilt strongly correlated with normal-tension glaucoma in myopic patients, according to a study.
“Optic disc tilt and torsion were prominent findings in small myopic discs,” the study authors said. “The direction of the optic disc torsion was related to the location of the [visual field] defect. This study is the first to demonstrate a relationship between optic disc torsion with ocular parameters and to reveal its relationship with the location of glaucomatous damage.”
The retrospective study included 166 myopic patients and 59 non-myopic patients with normal-tension glaucoma. Mean patient age was 42.85 years in the myopic group and 60.73 years in the non-myopic group. The between-group age difference was statistically significant (P < .001).
Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent greater than –2 D or axial length greater than 24 mm.
Investigators used digital retinal photography to measure optic disc tilt, torsion and peripapillary atrophy area.
Study results showed that optic disc tilt and torsion were significantly more prevalent in the myopic group than in the non-myopic group (both P < .001).
Between-group differences in cup area, rim area, cup-to-disc ratio, rim-to-disc area ratio, cup volume, rim volume, height variation contour and cup shape measure were statistically significant. The myopic group had smaller cup area and volume and larger rim area and volume than the non-myopic group.
Superior visual field defects were significantly more prevalent in the myopic group than in the non-myopic group (P < .001).
Both groups had similar disc area, the authors said.
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