Correlation Between Visual Field Functional and Optic Nerve Disc Structural Damage of Patients With Glaucoma

Summary Introduction.Retrospective study were made to find out the correlation between visual field functional and optic nerve disc structural damage of patients with glaucoma in early and late stage of disease. Aim of the study. The aim of the present research was to characterize the relationships between visual field functional and optic nerve disc structural damage of patients with glaucoma in different stage of disease and create the basis of correlation. Material and methods. Together 94 patients (137 eyes) were analyzed from Pauls Stradins clinical university hospital ophthalmology clinic, whom during years 2010 - 2012 were made computerized visual field at least more than 3 times and optical coherence tomography (OCT) research in one day. Following data as retinal nerve fiber layer scan with OCT of optic nerve disc and visual field were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the vision field functional damage severity. First group - patients in moderate stage of glaucoma, but second - in late stage of disease. From visual field examination was rated numerical corrected/pattern deviation map from age related norm values and compared with OCT Spectralis optic nerve retinal nerve fiber layer measurements using Garway - Heath map. Results. The average age of patients were 73.94 years ± 6.95 years. Glaucoma in moderate stage was diagnosed in 96 (70.1%) of patients eyes, but in late stage - 41 (29.9%) eyes. In moderate stage the positive correlation was found in 72.9%% (70/96), but in 27.1% the correlation was not found with one of the diagnostic methods. (p<0.01). Looking trough out the results in moderate stage of disease the structural damage was recognized in 91.66% (88/96) cases, but functional visual field loss in 81.25% (78/96) cases. In severe stage of glaucoma the positive correlation between the diagnostic methods was in 92.68% (38/41), but in 7.32% (3/41) the OCT didn’t show the damage as wide as visual field. (p<0.18). Conclusion. Correlation between functional changes diagnosed by OCT RNFL scan and structural damage shown by computerized perimetry data seems to depend on the stage of glaucoma.