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Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

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01-04-2012 | Glaucoma

Optical coherence tomography shows progressive local nerve fiber loss after disc hemorrhages in glaucoma patients

Authors: Christoph Kernstock, Janko Dietzsch, Kai Januschowski, Ulrich Schiefer, M. Dominik Fischer

Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 4/2012

Abstract

Background and aim

The aim of this work is to investigate whether optic disc hemorrhages (ODH) lead to significant loss of nerve fibers at the lesion site over time and whether such a loss is reflected by visual field defects corresponding to the affected nerve fiber bundle.

Methods

In this retrospective study of ten sequential glaucoma patients (ten eyes) with ODH, we used high-resolution OCT circular scans (Spectralis HRA + OCT, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) to determine peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness at the time of ODH presentation and at follow-up visit between 3 and 6 months. Corresponding perimetric data were analyzed for global (mean defect, MD) and localized progression of visual field defects.

Results

ODH were mostly located in the inferior quadrant as determined clinically and from fundus photographs. Iterative OCT imaging revealed a significant RNFL reduction in the affected quadrant relative to the respective quadrant in the fellow eye (RNFL change = −2.25 ± 2.69 μm vs. 0.75 ± 2.78 μm, p = 0.01) within 120 ± 43 days. However, only three cases presented with new/progressive nerve fiber bundle defects corresponding to the lesion site within the given follow-up period.

Conclusions

ODH lead to a significantly higher RNFL loss at the lesion site relative to the overall structural progression in glaucoma patients. However, this focal change is not generally reflected by respective nerve fiber bundle defects in the time frame investigated.

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Title: Optical coherence tomography shows progressive local nerve fiber loss after disc hemorrhages in glaucoma patients
Authors: Christoph Kernstock
Janko Dietzsch
Kai Januschowski
Ulrich Schiefer
M. Dominik Fischer
Publication date: 01-04-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology / Issue 4/2012
Print ISSN: 0721-832X
Electronic ISSN: 1435-702X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-011-1825-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Optical coherence tomography shows progressive local nerve fiber loss after disc hemorrhages in glaucoma patients

Abstract

Background and aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background and aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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