Abstract

PEREZ OLIVAN, S et al. Benefit of scanning laser ophthalmoscopy for detecting retinal nerve fiber layer defects in patients with intraocular hypertension. Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol [online]. 2003, vol.78, n.1, pp.15-20. ISSN 0365-6691.

Purpose: To compare the ability to identify RNFL alterations between standard images and SLO images in a group of patients suffering from ocular hypertension. Methods: We evaluated RNFL in sixty patients with ocular hypertension and with normal perimetry, by using standard photography and SLO. Two different independent observers evaluated the images on two different ocassions. Results: We studied 118 eyes, twelve eyes were rejected because of the low quality of the images. Four cases of diffuse atrophy and five patients with wedge shaped defects were observed using both methods. Statistical analysis showed no differences between both exploration techniques or between observers. Conclusions: RNFL study with SLO seems to be at least as reliable as standard photography as a method to evaluate RNFL defects. SLO has also proved to be much easier, and faster than traditional methods.

Keywords : Scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO); glaucoma; fast diagnosis; retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL).