Measurement of autofluorescence in the parapapillary atrophic zone in patients with ocular hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to investigate area and intensity of parapapillary autofluorescence in patients with ocular hypertension and controls.


METHODS
Forty-two consecutive patients with ocular hypertension and 25 controls were investigated in a controlled prospective cross-sectional trial. All patients and controls were members of the Erlangen Glaucoma registry and received complete ophthalmologic examination and detailed standardized glaucoma examination, including 24-h IOP measurement, perimetrie (G1, three phases) and 15 degrees stereographic slides of the optic disc. Additionally, patients and controls were investigated with VEP with blue on yellow pattern stimulation and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (HRA II, Heidelberg Engineering, Dossenheim, Germany) to detect lipofuscin in the parapapillary atrophic zone. Eyes with retinal diseases or pathologic changes of retinal pigmentepithelium were excluded. Extension of parapapillary area with increased autofluorescence compared (qualitatively) to background autofluorescence around the optic disc and the level of autofluorescence (quantitatively) in the area of qualitatively increased autofluorescence was measured. Patients and controls did not differ significantly concerning age.


RESULTS
The area of parapapillary autofluorescence was significant larger in patients with ocular hypertension than in the control group (0.21+/-0.17 mm(2) versus 0.07+/-0.06 mm(2); P<0.001, Mann-Whitney U-test). An increased latency of blue-on-yellow pattern VEP was seen in patients with OHT with increasing parapapillary autofluorescence area (r=0.496; P<0.001, Spearman-Rho test).


CONCLUSIONS
Parapapillary autofluorescence is increased in patients with ocular hypertension. Patients with large area of parapapillary autofluorescence had also an increased latency in blue on yellow pattern VEP.
Laemmer
Robert
R
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. Robert.Laemmer@augen.imed.uni-erlangen.de
Horn
Folkert K
FK
Viestenz
Arne
A
Link
Barbara
B
Juenemann
Anselm G
AG
Mardin
Christian Y
CY
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007834:Lasers; D008062:Lipofuscin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D009896:Optic Atrophy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies
D008062:Lipofuscin