ABSTRACT
Background: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the chronic and progressive optic neuropathy categorized by damage to optic nerve and corresponding visual field defects. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has emerged as the crucial diagnostic tool in assessment of glaucoma, providing detailed imaging of retinal layers and optic nerve head. However, pupil dilation, often employed during clinical examinations, may impact OCT measurements due to changes in ocular geometry and light scattering properties.
Aim: The main purpose of the current research was to retrospectively assess effect of pupil dilation on OCT measurements in patients diagnosed having primary open-angle glaucoma.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on OCT scans gained from individuals diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma between January 2023 and January 2024. OCT images were categorized based on whether they were acquired with or without pupil dilation. Various parameters, including retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, optic nerve head parameters, and macular thickness, were compared between the two groups using statistical analysis.
Results: An overall 100 OCT scans were involved in analysis, with approximately equal distribution between scans obtained with and without pupil dilation. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in several OCT parameters between the two groups. These differences suggest that pupil dilation can influence OCT measurements in main open-angle glaucoma patients, potentially impacting diagnostic accuracy and disease management.
Conclusion: The findings of this retrospective analysis highlight significance of considering pupil dilation status when interpreting OCT measurements in individuals having primary open-angle glaucoma. Clinicians should be cautious of potential discrepancies in OCT parameters induced by pupil dilation, which can affect precision of glaucoma diagnosis and monitoring.
Keywords: Primary open-angle glaucoma, Optical Coherence Tomography, Pupil dilation, Retrospective analysis, Diagnostic accuracy.