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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect glaucoma in its early stages and follow-up progression of the disease compared with visual field (VF) examination aiming for better control of the disease and decreasing the incidence of morbidity (blindness) resulting from this disease. Background Primary open angle glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible world blindness. VF deficits are thought to be the functional expression of ganglion cell losses. OCT provides high-resolution images that allow in-vivo measurements of the retinal nerve fiber layer in cross-section. Patients and methods Twenty eyes diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma were included in the study. All patients were subjected to complete ocular examination, VF examination by standard automated perimetry (SAP), and OCT assessment of the retinal nerve fiber layer in the primary visit. Follow-up periods were 3 and 6 months by SAP and OCT assessment of the retinal nerve fiber. Results The follow-up period was 6 months. SAP was nearly similar to OCT in detecting progression: eight (40%) eyes compared with 10 (50%) eyes by OCT. OCT was better because of its ability to detect early any progression before functional affection, but the difference between them is not significant. Conclusion OCT was able to detect more progression compared with VF. In addition, it detected progression earlier compared with VF. OCT proved the ability to detect any structural changes before corresponding functional defects can be detected.

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