[Differentiation of concomitant glaucomatous optic neuropathy in optic disc drusen].

Characteristics of ocular blood flow (OBF) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in eyes with optic disc drusen have been investigated. The study enrolled 21 patient (35 eyes) with optic disc drusen, of which 7 (8 eyes) were diagnosed with POAG. Besides the standard tests, the ophthalmological assessment included evaluation of OBF (flowmetry) and an individual normal range of intraocular pressure (IOP). The results showed that optic disc drusen are not associated with OBF changes. Concomitant POAG might be suspected in a patient with optic disc drusen whose OBF is significantly decreased and IOP is above the individual normal range. Differentiation of morphofunctional changes in chronic optic neuropathy, which might be due to either glaucomatous optic neuropathy or optic disc drusen, is complicated when actual IOP lies within the average normal range. Ocular blood flow evaluation by means of flowmetry with calculation of an individual normal range of IOP has been demonstrated as a highly effective predictor of concomitant POAG in patients with optic disc drusen.