Approach for identifying glaucomatous optic nerve progression by scanning laser tomography.

PURPOSE: To describe and test an analytical approach for identifying glaucomatous optic nerve change by scanning laser tomography.
METHODS: The approach (1). analyzed 30 degrees sectors of rim area by (2). a novel and reproducible experimental reference plane, (3). estimated and accounted for measurement variability in each sector, and (4). required that any change exceeding variability in a single (positive) test should be confirmed as repeatable by a criterion requiring two of three consecutive tests to be positive. The sensitivity and false-positive rate of a single positive test and the two-of-three criterion were assessed in image series of one eye each of 20 ocular hypertension patients who converted to glaucoma (referred to as converters) who had unambiguous disease progression, and in one eye each of 20 normal control subjects.
RESULTS: Eighteen of 20 (90% sensitivity) converters and 7 of 20 (35% false-positive responses) control subjects had single positive test results, but with confirmation by the two-of-three criterion, the false-positive rate improved to 5% (1/20) whereas sensitivity was relatively preserved at 85% (17/20).
CONCLUSIONS: Estimates of rim area variability in each sector of each nerve allowed change consistent with disease progression to be distinguished from measurement variability. Confirming that change is repeatable by the criterion used in the study resulted in considerably fewer false-positive responses than did testing without confirmation, but with sensitivity not significantly compromised in the former. By this approach, eyes with progressive glaucoma could be distinguished from unchanging normal control eyes.