Optical Coherence Tomography in Diagnosis of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases traditionally characterized by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). However, glaucoma is more accurately defined as an optic neuropathy than a disease of high pressure. The aim of the study was to asses retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in glaucomatous eyes using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and to study their correlations with glaucomatous damage. This cohort observational study was carried out at outpatients clinic in city of Tirana during the period 2013 -2014. A total of 82 patients were enrolled in our study so fulfilling the criteria of preliminary glaucoma suspect, with Optic CD ratio of more than 0.6 at least in one eye, intra ocular pressure (IOP) higher than 20 mm Hg, and age more than 20 years. Patients had a mean age of 55 12 years. Out of 82 patients, 31 (38 %) patients were female and 51 (62 %) were male. Mean IOP was 25 5. Out of these 82 suspects, 24 (29 %) patients were found to have nerve fibre layer thickness outside normal limits i. e. decreased in half a quadrant or more. Significantly lower values of the mean pRNFL thickness were found in the POAG (62.1014.45m) and groups as compared with GS group (100.07.15m), pless than0.01. Glaucoma can be easily screened by routine ophthalmoscopy done by general medical practitioner.