Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: The pattern of glaucomatous optic atrophy depends on the localisation of the vessel trunc of the central retinal vessels on the lamina cribrosa. Aim of the present study was to determine, if cilioretinal arteries have a similar protective effect. Methods: Forty-one consecutive POAG patients with unilateral or bilateral cilioretinal arteries were compared with 127 consecutive POAG patients without cilioretinal arteries. Fifteen degree stereo optic disc slides were evaluated by planimetry. Eyes with and without cilioretinal artery did not differ in area of optic disc, area of neuroretinal rim, refractive error, age and sex of the patients. Results: Eyes with cilioretinal arteries and eyes without cilioretinal arteries did not differ significantly in the areas of neuroretinal rim and alpha zone and beta zone of parapapillary atrophy, measured in the whole optic disc and in four disc sectors separately; ratios of the temporal horizontal area-to-total area of rim and parapapillary atrophy; and ratio of temporal horizontal rim area-to-nasal rim area, neither in an interindividual comparison nor in an intraindividual inter-eye comparison. Conclusions: In contrast to the position of the central retinal vessel trunk, presence and position of cilioretinal arteries do not markedly influence the pattern of neuroretinal rim loss and parapapillary atrophy enlargement in glaucoma.
Keywords: optic disc • imaging/image analysis: clinical • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: nat