[The influence of intraocular pressure reduction with medication on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements obtained with scanning laser polarimetry in glaucomatous and hypertensive eyes].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate changes in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness as measured by scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) after the use of medication to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucomatous or ocular hypertensive patients.


METHODS
The authors prospectively enrolled 37 eyes of 37 patients in whom IOP was reduced by more than 25% after the use of medication. The images were obtained before and 15 to 30 days after the introduction of medication. The SLP parameters measured before and after the use of medication were compared using paired Student's t Test.


RESULTS
The mean IOP was significantly reduced from 26.57 +/- 4.23 mmHg to 16.54 +/- 2.92 mmHg after the use of medication (p < 0.05). None of the 10 SLP analyzed parameters was significantly affected by the reduction of IOP with medication (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, as measured by SLP, is not affected by the reduction of IOP with medication in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
Avelino
Rodrigo Rezende Gomes
RR
Setor de Glaucoma, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas - UNICAMP- Campinas (SP) - Brasil. rodrigoavelino@uol.com.br
Luis
Pedro Alexandre Henriques
PA
Medeiros
Márcia
M
Costa
Vital Paulino
VP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D007834:Lasers; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000187:drug effects; D009798:Ocular Hypertension; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000187:drug effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects*
D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions