Abstract

P 123

Digital planimetry for long-term follow-up of patients with glaucoma

Christoph Raum1, Arne Viestenz2, Christian Mardin1
1Universitäts-Augenklinik Erlangen; 2Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg, Magdeburg

Objective
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether digital planimetry is appropriate for quantification of neuroretinal rim loss in patients with glaucoma, with and without progression.
Methods
The optic discs of 44 patients, whose illness had been well documented with photographs over a period of at least eight years were divided in a progression group and an unchanged group of glaucoma. After this evaluation we measured each disc by digital planimetry and correlated the results. The researcher conducting the measurements was unaware of the patients’ date of examination and the diagnosis.
Results
While the neuroretinal rim decreased by only 0,06 ± 0,15 mm² on average in the group of patients without glaucoma, the average decrease was 0,30 ± 0,27 mm² in the group with progression.
Mean neuroretinal rim loss was 0,25 % per year in the group without progression of glaucoma, and 1,9 % per year in the group with progression. This annual difference is significant.
Conclusions
Digital planimetry was able to determine if a morphological progression was found in a clinical examination or if a glaucoma showed no signs of worsening. So we can use this method of digital planimetry of optic discs to examine and re-examine older and more recent photographs to always get the best results of a possible progression of glaucoma

Copyright: 2009 Porstmann Kongresse GmbH. All rights reserved. Impressum, Disclaimer.