ABSTRACT

The RNFLs of OHT patients with CCT of 555 µm or less were significantly thinner in comparison with OHT patients with CCT of more than 588 µm and normal patients. The RNFL thickness measured with OCT seems to be a valuable indicator for detecting the early glaucomatous damage in patients with OHT.

The mean age of the study group was 52.37±8.64 years. There wasno statistical difference between the study and the control groups with respect to age and gender (p>0.05). The CCT in patients with OHT was statistically higher than in the control group (577.98±32.32 vs. 551.56±24.93; p<0.01). In the study group, the average RNFL, the superior and inferior quadrant RNFLs were significantly thinner (p<0.05). The average RNFL, superior and inferior RNFLs in OHT patients with CCT of 555 µm or less were significantly thinner than in the OHT patients with CCT of more than 588 µm (p<0.05).

56 eyes of 32 patients with OHT, and 43 eyes of 22 subjects with intraocular pressure ≤22 mmHg participated in our study between August 2008 and April 2009. After full ophthalmologic examination, all patients underwent measurement of CCT by ultrasonic pachymetry and RNFL thickness by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Both groups were classified into “CCT ≤555 µm" and “CCT >588 µm" subgroups. RNFL thickness was measured in microns as average, superior and inferior quadrant thickness for all eyes.

To evaluate the relationship between central corneal thickness (CCT) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with ocular hypertension (OHT) and to compare it with normal population.