Purpose:
To compare the structure-function relationship between the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) retardation, measured with scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) with both enhanced corneal compensation (ECC) and variable corneal compensation (VCC), and visual field (VF) sensitivity in normal and glaucomatous eyes; and any effect of atypical birefringence patterns (ABP) on this relationship.
Methods:
Thirty-three healthy, and 68 glaucomatous eyes were imaged with the GDx with both ECC and VCC; standard VFs were tested with the 24-2 w/w programme of the Humphrey Field Analyzer. The relationships between local and global RNFL retardation, and VF sensitivity in matching VF areas1 were assessed in all eyes, and in eyes without ABP (n = 60).
Results:
In all eyes, the structure-function relationships (Spearman’s correlation coefficients, rs) were generally stronger with ECC than with VCC. In eyes without ABP, the relationships were similar for ECC and VCC (Table).
Conclusions:
The structure-function relationship between RNFL retardation and VF sensitivity was generally stronger in images obtained with ECC than with VCC. ABP, more often seen with VCC than with ECC, weakened the structure-function relationship.Table. Correlation coefficients (rs) between RNFL retardation (globally and sectorally), and VF sensitivity, for ECC and VCC in all eyes/ eyes without ABP.Note: all rs values, except for the T sector were statistically significant at P < 0.001.Reference1. Reus NJ, Lemij HG: The relationship between standard automated perimetry and GDx VCC measurements. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 45(3):840-5, 2004.
Keywords: optic disc • nerve fiber layer