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. 2003 Jun;87(6):695-8.
doi: 10.1136/bjo.87.6.695.

Comparison of localised nerve fibre layer defects in normal tension glaucoma and primary open angle glaucoma

S J Woo  1 , K H Park, D M Kim
Affiliations

Comparison of localised nerve fibre layer defects in normal tension glaucoma and primary open angle glaucoma

S J Woo et al. Br J Ophthalmol. 2003 Jun.

Abstract

Aim: To compare the pattern of localised nerve fibre layer (NFL) defects in normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: 50 NTG eyes and 36 POAG eyes, all with localised NFL defects, were enrolled. On retinal NFL photography, the proximity of the defect to the centre of the fovea (angle alpha) and the sum of the angular width of the defects (angle beta) were determined. Angle alpha was the angle made by a line from the centre of the fovea to the disc centre and a line from the disc centre to the disc margin, where the nearest border of the defect met. The patterns of localised NFL defects in NTG and POAG were compared with angles alpha and beta. Independent t test was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Angle alpha in NTG (35.1 (SD 20.0) degrees ) was significantly smaller than that of POAG (45.9 (21.9) degrees ) (p=0.02), while angle beta in NTG (49.0 (31.9) degrees ) was significantly larger than that of POAG (33.1 (23.9) degrees ) (p=0.01).

Conclusions: The pattern of NFL defects in NTG was different from that in POAG. Localised NFL defects in NTG were closer to the fovea and wider in width than those in POAG.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Parameters obtained from the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) photograph. Reference line d was from the disc centre to the centre of the fovea. Angle α (a) was the angle made between the reference line and a line from the disc centre to the point of disc margin where the nearest border of the defect met. Angle β was the sum (b + c) of the angular widths of the defects.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Typical retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) photographs of normal tension glaucoma (NTG) (A) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) (B). (A) Localised NFL defects of NTG located in both superior and inferior retina are wider and closer to the fovea than those of POAG (B). (B) Localised NFL defects of POAG are far from the fovea and have very narrow widths.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Angles α and β in normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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