Correlation between the visual field indices and Heidelberg retina tomograph parameters.

PURPOSE: We wished to determine whether a relationship exists between Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT) parameters and the visual field indices.
METHODS: One eye was randomly chosen from 59 normal patients [normal visual field and normal optic nerve head (ONH) and intraocular pressure (IOP) < 21 mm Hg], 64 ocular hypertensive patients (normal visual field and normal OHN and IOP > 22 mm Hg), 124 high-tension glaucoma patients (abnormal visual field and/or abnormal optic nerve and IOP > 22 mm Hg) and 47 low-tension glaucoma patients (abnormal visual field and or optic disc and IOP < 21 mm Hg). All the patients were examined with Humphrey Perimeter, program 30-2, and HRT. Findings were assessed by analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression.
RESULTS: Among all subjects, we noted a statistically significant correlation (Pearson's r, p < 0.001) between cup area, cup/disc area ratio, rim area, rim volume, cup shape measure, and retinal nerve fiber layer cross-section area with mean deviation and corrected pattern SD. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that rim area was the most important predictor of mean deviation and corrected pattern SD.
CONCLUSIONS: The presence of significant correlations between some HRT parameters, such as rim area and cup shape measure and visual field indices, suggests that these HRT parameters could be good indicators of the degree of glaucomatous ONH damage.