Comparison of isolated-check visual evoked potential and standard automated perimetry in early glaucoma and high-risk ocular hypertension

AIM：To compare the diagnostic performance of isolatedcheck visual evoked potential（ic VEP） and standard automated perimetry（SAP）,for evaluating the application values of ic VEP in the detection of early glaucoma.METHODS：Totally 144 subjects（288 eyes） were enrolled in this study.ic VEP testing was performed with the Neucodia visual electrophysiological diagnostic system.A 15% positive-contrast（bright） condition pattern was used in this device to differentiate between glaucoma patients and healthy control subjects.Signal-to-noise ratios（SNR） were derived based on a multivariate statistic.The eyes were judged as abnormal if the test yielded an SNR≤1.SAP testing was performed with the Humphrey Field Analyzer II.The visual fields were deemed as abnormality if the glaucoma hemifield test results outside normal limits;or the pattern standard deviation with P〈0.05;or the cluster of three or more non-edge points on the pattern deviation plot in a single hemifield with P〈0.05,one of which must have a P〈0.01.Disc photographs were graded as either glaucomatous optic neuropathy or normal by two experts who were masked to all other patient information.Moorfields regression analysis（MRA） used as a separate diagnostic classification was performed by Heidelberg retina tomograph（HRT）.RESULTS：When the disc photograph grader was used as diagnostic standard,the sensitivity for SAP and ic VEP was 32.3% and 38.5% respectively and specificity was 82.3% and 77.8% respectively.When the MRA Classifier was used as the diagnostic standard,the sensitivity for SAP and ic VEP was 48.6% and 51.4% respectively and specificity was 84.1% and 78.0% respectively.When the combined structural assessment was used as the diagnostic standard,the sensitivity for SAP and ic VEP was 59.2%and 53.1% respectively and specificity was 84.2% and 84.6% respectivlely.There was no statistical significance between the sensitivity or specificity of SAP and ic VEP,regardless of which diagnostic standard was based on.CONCLUSION：The diagnostic performance of ic VEP is not better than that of SAP in the detection of early glaucoma.

MP-3 microperimeter in early primary open angle glaucoma with a new pattern

AIM:To investigate macular microperimetry in patients with early primary open angle glaucoma(POAG)using a new custom-made pattern,and analyze the characteristics of macular sensitivity.METHODS:This case-control study included 38 patients with POAG,who were divided into pre-perimetric glaucoma(18 eyes of 18 patients),early-stage(20 eyes of 20 patients),and control(20 eyes of 20 patients)groups.All subjects underwent standard 24-2 humphrey visual field test.An MP-3 microperimeter with a new custom-made pattern(28 testing points distributed in four quadrants,covering the central 10°of the retina)was used to evaluate macular sensitivity.Ganglion cell complex(GCC)thicknesses were examined using an RS-3000 Advance OCT system.The features of structure and function were analysed per quadrant.RESULTS:The pre-perimetric glaucoma group had significantly lower inferior hemifield macular sensitivity compared to controls(P<0.05).The early-stage POAG group had significantly lower average,inferior hemifield,inferonasal,and inferotemporal mean sensitivities compared to the pre-perimetric glaucoma group(P<0.05),and lower macular sensitivity in all sectors compared to controls(P<0.05).Regarding GCC thickness,all sectors in the early-stage POAG group became thinner compared to those in controls(P<0.05);whereas all sectors in the early-stage POAG group,except the superonasal quadrant,became thinner compared to those in the pre-perimetric glaucoma group(P<0.05).Macular sensitivity and GCC thickness were significantly associated in each sector.The inferotemporal quadrant had the highest correlation coefficients(0.840).The structure-function relationship for the inferonasal and inferotemporal sectors was stronger compared to the corresponding superior sectors.CONCLUSION:Microperimetry reveals variations in macular sensitivity in patients with early glaucoma earlier than conventional perimetry,particularly in pre-perimetric glaucoma cases in which it might be undetectable by conventional methods.The new custom-made pattern may improve the accuracy of microperimetry by enhancing point arrangement and reducing fatigue effects.Macular sensitivity measured by MP-3 with this pattern shows statistically significant structural and functional associations with the thicknesses of the GCC.

Utility of combining spectral domain optical coherence tomography structural parameters for the diagnosis of early Glaucoma: a mini-review

Optical coherence tomography(OCT)has moved to the forefront of imaging modalities in the management of glaucoma and retinal diseases.It is modifying how glaucoma and glaucoma progression are diagnosed clinically and augmenting our understanding of the disease.OCT provides multiple parameters from various anatomic areas for glaucoma diagnosis,evaluation of treatment efficacy,and progression monitoring.While the use of multiple parameters has increased the likelihood of detecting early structural changes,diagnosing glaucoma in early stages is often challenging when the damages are subtle and not apparent on OCT scans,in addition to the fact that assessment of OCT parameters often yields conflicting findings.One promising approach is to combine multiple individual parameters into a composite parameter from the same test to improve diagnostic accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity.This review presents current evidence regarding the value of spectral domain OCT composite parameters in diagnosing early glaucoma.

Perspective on early lens extraction for primary angle-closure glaucoma

Primary angle-closure glaucoma(PACG)is a subtype of glaucoma that affects 16 million people worldwide,of whom4 million are bilaterally blind.This prevalence of PACG is expected to increase to 21 million cases by 2020,and it is expected that 5.3 million people will become

Diagnostic capability of Fourier-Domain optical coherence tomography in early primary open angle glaucoma

Background Optical coherence tomography （OCT） is a high resolution noncontact imaging modality which can quantitatively detect the optic disc and retinal structure.This study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic capability of parameters of the optic disc, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and ganglion cell complex （GCC） using a new technology called Fourier-domain OCT （FD-OCT） for early primary open angle glaucoma （POAG） patients.Methods Two groups of patients, early perimetric damage POAG and normal subjects were included in this observational cross-sectional study.All patients underwent FD-OCT and visual field examination in addition to full ophthalmic examinations.Receiver operating characteristic curves （ROC） were studied for all parameters.The sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing between normal and early glaucomatous eyes, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves （AROC） and positive, negative likelihood ratios were evaluated for all the single parameters and selected combined parameters using arbitrary cutoffs.Results Thirty-four eyes of 34 early POAG patients and 42 eyes of 42 normal subjects were analyzed.Cup/disc （C/D）vertical ratio presented the best sensitivity and positive likelihood ratio for selected specificities （95% and 85%） which were 79.4% and 88.2%, 33.4 and 7.4, respectively.Among all single parameters, the C/D vertical ratio demonstrated the highest AROC which was at 0.930.The average thickness of circumpapillary RNFL on 3.45 mm showed the highest AROC among all of the peripapillary RNFL parameters.The sensitivity at selected specificity and AROC of GCC were not as high as C/D vertical ratio and RNFL AT on 3.45 mm.When the C/D vertical ratio, RNFL AT on 3.45 mm, and rim area were combined using a logistical diagnostic model, the AROC was raised to 0.949 but not significantly different from the top single parameter, C/D vertical ratio.Conclusions The key parameters obtained by FD-OCT were able to show the significant differences of optic discs,thickness of RNFL and GCC between POAG patients and normal subjects.According to sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio and AROC, the top three parameters from FD-OCT for early diagnosis of POAG were C/D vertical ratio, RNFL AT on 3.45 mm, and the rim area.