The correlation between visual field defects and focal nerve fiber layer thickness measured with optical coherence tomography in the evaluation of glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To study the correlation between known visual field defects and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in glaucomatous eyes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Visual field parameters and OCT RNFL measurements of 28 eyes of 28 glaucoma patients with various stages of glaucoma were compared with 38 eyes of 38 normal age-matched controls. A perimetric nerve fiber bundle map was built by dividing the visual field area into 21 zones. Mean deviation and pattern standard deviation values within these 21 zones were compared with OCT RNFL thickness measurements in 12 sectors and the results were analyzed.
RESULTS: Average RNFL thickness was 62.90+/-16.56 microm in the glaucoma group and 111.90+/-6.00 microm in the control group (P<0.05). Pattern standard deviation and mean deviation visual field zones and corresponding OCT RNFL thickness sectors were significantly correlated at specific sectors in the glaucoma group (P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of RNFL thickness in eyes with focal glaucomatous visual field defects showed good structural and functional correlation with OCT. OCT contributes to the identification of focal defects in the RNFL of glaucoma patients.