Vitreous opacities affect scanning laser polarimetry measurements.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of vitreous opacities on retinal nerve fiber layer retardation measurements obtained during scanning laser polarimetry.


METHODS
Scanning laser polarimetry was performed in two eyes of two patients with vitreous opacities.


RESULTS
The presence of a vitreous opacity within the measurement ellipse during scanning caused a marked, localized increase in polarization in the area of the opacity. This falsely increased the value obtained for the mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness values were reduced when the opacity was not incorporated into the measurement ellipse.


CONCLUSIONS
Artifact introduced by the presence of vitreous opacities can affect scanning laser polarimetry measurement reliability.
Pons
M E
ME
Department of Ophthalmology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Rothman
R F
RF
Ozden
R G
RG
Liebmann
J M
JM
Ritch
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016477:Artifacts; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D015812:Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / Q000150:complications; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology*; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000592:standards; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000473:pathology*