Evaluation of Scanning Laser Polarimetry (GDxVcc) Findings in Individuals With Exfoliation Syndrome Compared With Normal Controls

Abstract

Purpose: : Comparison of GDxVCC parameters in subjects with exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and normal controls.

Methods: : We compared and analyzed prospectively the GDxVCC parameters in 41 consecutive subjects with XFS and normal intraocular pressure and compared them with 41 consecutive normal controls. Data were summarized with means (adjusted for age differences) and standard deviations (SD). Retinal nerve fiber layer parameters between groups were compared employing a general linear model with age as a covariate. The adjusted mean values for age are reported. All reported p-values were two-tailed with p <0.05considered as significant.

Results: : The Nerve Fiber Indicator was significantly greater in XFS subjects compared with normal controls (mean: 26.57 SD:[10.36] for XFS vs.17.38 [6.71] for controls; p<0.001). In the XFS group the mean TSNIT Average (52.86 [6.18] for XFS vs. 56.36 [6.34] for controls; p=0.017), the mean Superior Average (62.43 [8.47] for XFS vs. 67.03 [8.22] for controls; p=0.018) and the mean Inferior Average (59.18 [9.14] for XFS vs. 63.74 [7.90] for controls; p=0.022) were all significantly lower than those of normal controls. Further, the TSNIT Standard Deviation (17.96 [4.70] for XFS vs. 20.53 [4.06] for controls; p=0.011) was significantly lower in XFS.

Conclusions: : Patients with XFS show worse GDxVCC parameters than normal controls. Evaluation of retina nerve fiber layer thickness with the GDxVCC may help us in identifying earlier those individuals with XFS that will develop exfoliative glaucoma.

Clinical Trial: : www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT01022281

Keywords: nerve fiber layer • imaging/image analysis: clinical • intraocular pressure