Effect of moderate intraocular pressure changes on topographic measurements with confocal scanning laser tomography in patients with glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate optic disc topography changes after intraocular pressure (IOP) modulation in patients with glaucoma.


METHODS
Twenty-three patients with glaucoma were studied. Three mean optic disc topography images were obtained with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 (visits 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively). Topical medications were discontinued in the study eye after visit 1 and resumed after visit 4 but maintained in the contralateral control eye. Central corneal thickness was measured at the last visit. Topographic changes were determined by stereometric parameters (rim area and mean cup depth) and at discrete topographic locations using the Topographic Change Analysis program (from the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II).


RESULTS
In the study eyes, IOP increased significantly (5.4 mm Hg at visit 4; P<.001) after withdrawal of topical medications but returned to baseline levels after resuming medications; no statistically significant topographic changes, however, were observed. Moreover, no relationship between change in IOP and stereometric parameters was observed. Central corneal thickness was not associated with changes in optic disc topography induced by IOP modulation.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with glaucoma, significant but relatively moderate IOP increases and decreases on the order of 5 mm Hg did not appear to have an effect on optic disc topography.
Nicolela
Marcelo T
MT
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. nicolela@dal.ca
Soares
Adael S
AS
Carrillo
Monica M
MM
Chauhan
Balwantray C
BC
LeBlanc
Raymond P
RP
Artes
Paul H
PH