Correlation between neuroretinal rim and optic disc areas in normal and glaucoma melanoderm patients

Background: To evaluate optic disc size and its relationship with neuroreti nal rim areas. Material and methods: The study was prospective; 400 hundred patients with 292 glaucomatous and 108 non glaucomatous were enrolled in this study. Opti c disc size quantification was assessed by the use of Goldmann 3 mirror con tact lens; diameter reading were adjusted by the magnification factor of th e lens, squares of the disc and the cupping were calculated using an ellips e formula, the neuroretinal rim area was then obtained by reducing the cupp ing area from the whole optic disc area. Results: The mean age of the sample was 36.80 years (sd: 15.68 years). The average value of the vertical disc diameter was 2.045 mm (sd: 0.254) for gl aucoma patients and 1.966 mm (sd: 0.237) in the control group; p < 0.001. N euroretinal rim area was 1.886 mm(2) (sd: 0.675) in the glaucoma group; and 2.165 mm(2) (sd: 0.425) in the control one; p < 0.004. In the glaucoma gro up, 72.97% of large optic disc were found (vertical diameter over 1.90 mm); and 63.80% in the control one. in the control group, neuroretinal rim area was wider in the large optic discs compared to the small discs, p < 0.001, Anova test. Neuroretinal rim area was thinner in the glaucoma large disc c ompared to the control, p < 0.005, Student test. Meanwhile, there was no di fference in the medium and the small discs in the glaucoma and control grou ps; p > 0.005, Student Newmann test. Conclusion: Neuroretinal rim areas are thinner in the large glaucoma discs compared to the non glaucoma large discs. In Africa, this parameter could b e helpful in the diagnosis and survey of glaucoma patients.