Evaluation of a new scoring system for retinal nerve fiber layer photography using HRA1 in 964 eyes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defect by a new scoring system for RNFL photography using the Heidelberg Retina Angiograph 1 (HRA1).


METHODS
This retrospective study included 128 healthy eyes and 836 primary open-angle glaucoma eyes. The RNFL photography using HRA1 was interpreted using a new scoring system, and correlated with visual field indices of standard automated perimetry (SAP). Using the presence of RNFL defect, darkness, width, and location, we established the new scoring system of RNFL photos.


RESULTS
The mean RNFL defect score I in the early, moderate, severe, and control groups were 7.3, 9.2, 10.4, and 3.6, respectively. The mean RNFL defect score II in the early, moderate, severe, and control groups were 14.5, 28.5, 43.4, and 3.4, respectively. Correlations between the RNFL defect score II and the mean deviation of SAP was the strongest of the various combinations (r=-0.675, P<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Using a new scoring system, we propose a method for semi-quantitative interpretation of RNFL photographs. This scoring system may be helpful to distinguish between normal and glaucomatous eyes, and the score is associated with the severity of visual field loss.
Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Samin
S
Hong
Jong Wook
JW
Moon
Seung Joo
SJ
Ha
Chan Yun
CY
Kim
Gong Je
GJ
Seong
Young Jae
YJ
Hong
D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology*; D010781:Photography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields