Ganglion cell layer analysis using Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography as an early detector of glaucoma in ocular hypertension

Abstract

Aim To investigate the role of macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) analysis as an early detector of glaucoma in patients with ocular hypertension and a positive family history. Patients and methods Patients with intraocular pressure higher than 22 mmHg, with normal optic disc parameters and with normal field analysis, were scanned using three-dimensional Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography for GCC analysis. All patients had inconclusive field changes, where the diagnosis of glaucoma could not be confirmed or excluded by any of the classic methods. Patients were divided into two groups: the patients in group 1 had a family history of glaucoma and the patients in group 2 had no family history. Results Twenty eyes of 10 patients were included. Each group included 10 eyes. In group 1, the average intraocular pressure was 22.5±1.6. Automated perimeter results were not conclusive in all cases; retinal nerve fiber layer thickness average was 99.1±5.2 μm in group 1 and 100.4±6.8 μm in group 2. The average GCC layer thickness was 89.6±3.8 μm in group 1 and 92.5±3 μm in group 2; the average global loss volume was 9.7±3.5% in group 1 and 6.9±2.8% in group 2. The average focal loss volume was 1.63±1% in group 1 and 0.94±0.56% in group 2. Differences in GCC parameters were statistically significant. Conclusion GCC could be an early detector for glaucomatous changes in patients suspected of having glaucoma with ocular hypertension and a positive family history.