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. 2011 Jan 26:5:1-7.
doi: 10.2174/1874205X01105010001.

Differentiating glaucomatous from non-glaucomatous optic nerve cupping by optical coherence tomography

Preeya K Gupta  1 , Sanjay Asrani, Sharon F Freedman, Mays El-Dairi, M Tariq Bhatti
Affiliations

Differentiating glaucomatous from non-glaucomatous optic nerve cupping by optical coherence tomography

Preeya K Gupta et al. Open Neurol J. .

Abstract

Background: In clinical practice, the differentiation of glaucomatous from non-glaucomatous cupping can be difficult, even for experienced observers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in differentiating glaucomatous from non-glaucomatous optic nerve cupping in a cross-sectional pilot study.

Methods: Eleven consecutive patients presenting to the Duke Eye Center from September 2007 to July 2008 with non-glaucomatous optic nerve cupping and 12 patients with glaucomatous optic nerve cupping were identified. All patients underwent Stratus® OCT imaging: fast macular map, fast retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) 3.4 thickness, and fast optic disc protocols. Automated visual field perimetry was performed on the date of OCT scan in non-glaucomatous cupping patients, and from 0-9 months of scan date in glaucoma patients. Eyes were matched by optic nerve cup-to-disc area ratio; average and mean deviation were calculated for each variable.

Results: For a similar average RNFL, patients with non-glaucomatous optic nerve cupping had lower nasal and temporal RNFL thickness, as well as lower macular thickness and volume compared to patients with glaucomatous optic nerve cupping.

Conclusion: OCT appears to be a useful technology in differentiating glaucomatous from non-glaucomatous optic nerve cupping. The pattern of RNFL loss appears more diffuse in non-glaucomatous optic nerve cupping compared to glaucomatous optic nerve cupping. Future studies with larger sample size and specific neuro-ophthalmic causes of optic nerve cupping may further elucidate the role of OCT in this clinical setting.

Keywords: OCT.; Optic nerve cupping; non-glaucomatous optic nerve cupping.

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Figures

Fig. (1)
Fig. (1)
Optical coherence tomography macular map display, right eye. The macular map is divided into outer and inner rings, as well as four quadrants: superior, nasal, inferior, and temporal.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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