QUANTITATIVE ESTIMATION OF RETINAL NERVE-FIBER LAYER HEIGHT IN GLAUCOMA AND THE RELATIONSHIP WITH OPTIC-NERVE HEAD TOPOGRAPHY AND VISUAL-FIELD

Purpose: The authors estimated the retinal nerve fiber layer height (R NFLH) measurements in patients with glaucoma compared with those in ag e-matched healthy subjects as obtained by the laser scanning tomograph y and assessed the relationship between RNFLH measurements and optic a nd visual field status. Methods: Parameters of optic nerve head topogr aphy and RNFLH were evaluated in 125 eyes of 21 healthy subjects and 1 04 patients with glaucoma using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph ([HRT] Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany) for the entire disc area and for the superior 70 degrees (50 degrees temporal and 20 degr ees nasal to the vertical midline) and inferior 70 degrees sectors of the optic disc. The mean deviation of the Visual field, as determined by the Humphrey program 24-2 (Humphrey Instruments, Inc., San Leonardo , CA, U.S.A) was calculated in the entire field and in the superior an d inferior Bjerrum area. Result: Retinal nerve fiber layer height para meters (mean RNFLH and RNFL cross-sectional area) were decreased signi ficantly in patients with glaucoma compared with healthy individuals. Retinal nerve fiber layer height parameters was correlated strongly wi th rim volume, rim area, and cup/disc area ratio. Of the various topog raphy measures, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) parameters and cup/di sc area ratio showed the strongest correlation with Visual field mean deviation in patients with glaucoma. Conclusion: Retinal nerve fiber l ayer height measures were reduced substantially in patients with glauc oma compared with age-matched healthy subjects. Retinal nerve fiber la yer height was correlated strongly with topographic optic disc paramet ers and visual field changes in patients with glaucoma.