Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate the usefulness of flicker analysis of infrared reflectance (IR) images performed simultaneously with follow-up OCT in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG).
Methods :
OAG patients who underwent 2 or more SD-OCT examinations (Spectralis HRA-OCT; Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany) in separate visits were included. IR images of optic nerve head (ONH) were acquired simultaneously with the peripapillary single circle scans. All follow-up examinations were performed with the registration of an initial examination as a reference (AutoRescan™). IR images of ONH were analyzed with automated alternation flicker program installed in Heidelberg Eye Explorer™ (HEYEX™). We analyzed the changes in peripapillary atrophy (PPA) area, rim width, the margin of ONH and the relationship between the vascular truck and the center point of the circle scan overlaid on the IR images.
Results :
Forty eight eyes of 48 OAG patients were enrolled for analysis. Median time between initial and last OCT examination was 87.5 months (IQR 86-90). PPA area has definitely expanded in 75% (36/48), and rim width has decreased in 77.1% (37/48). However, the subtle changes in the margin of ONH were observed in 90% (43/48) and the position of vascular trunk to the center point of the circle scan has also changed in 77.1% (37/48).
Conclusions :
Flicker analysis of IR images of ONH provided automatically with HEYEX™ can sensitively detect the changes in PPA area and rim width. However, caution is warranted because the margin of ONH and the position of the vascular trunk to the center point of the circle scan can also change.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.