Purpose. To
evaluate the changes in the morphology of the optic nerve head (ONH) and of the
RNFL and in the visual field in a group of patients with ocular hypertension or
early POAG. All eyes included in this study presented at the baseline IOP
values >22 mm Hg.
Patients and methods. A total of 17 patients (24 eyes) were enrolled in a prospective
longitudinal study. The mean follow up period was 427,6+-161,2 days. Patients
with disease other than glaucoma that could have affected the appearance of the
optic disc or visual field were carefully excluded. The ONH morphology and the
RNFL were evaluated by HRT (software 2.01) at the beginning and at the end of
the follow up; the visual field examination (Octopus 500, Gl program, Peritrend
analysis) was carried out at the same time of the HRT. All patients included in
the study had at least two previous exams with RF< 15% ; Patients were
excluded if the average baseline visual field mean defect (MD) was 6 dB or
more; 7 eyes did not show a visual fмeld damage. During the follow up period all patients have been treated
with topical antiglaucomatous therapy.
The optic disc and RNFL variables and the
perimetic indices (MD and CLV) were analysed both globally and segmentally. The
statistical analysis was performed with the t test and ANOVA. The correlation
between HRT parameters and VF indices was evaluated with the Pearson test (r).
Results. At
the end of the follow up period all eyes showed a progression in the visual
field defects from the baseline values (p<0.05). The 7 eyes with ocular
hypertension converted to early glaucoma. The HRT parameters evaluated both
globally and segmentally presented a progression in the structural damage not
statistically significant. The correlation with the MD was good for the
following HRT parameters: CA, C/D ratio, CSM.
Conclusions. The
progression of the functional damage could be caused by the morphological
alterations registered at the baseline also in the 7 eyes with OH. The lack of
a significant progression of structural glaucomatous damage could be due to the
good tonometric control with antiglaucomatous therapy.