Acute conformational changes in the optic nerve head with rapid intraocular pressure elevation: Implications for LASIK surgery

Scott Piette, Jeffrey M. Liebmann, Hiroshi Ishikawa, Rabia Gürses-Özden, Douglas Buxton, Robert Ritch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acute intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation on optic disc morphology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ophthalmodynamometry was used to increase the IOP of normal, healthy eyes. Confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy of the optic nerve head using the Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph II (Heidelberg GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany) and IOP measurements were obtained before, during, and after IOP elevation. RESULTS: Sixteen eyes of 16 normal volunteers (mean age, 32.8 ± 11.9 years) were enrolled. Rim area, rim volume, cup area, cup volume, cup-to-disc ratio, mean cup depth, maximum cup depth, mean retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and RNFL cross-sectional area showed significant changes during IOP elevation (all P < .05, paired t test). All measured parameters returned to their original values after pressure resolution (all P > .2) except mean RNFL thickness (P = .03). CONCLUSION: Transient elevation of IOP results in measurable alterations in optic nerve head topography.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)334-341
Number of pages8
JournalOphthalmic Surgery Lasers and Imaging
Volume34
Issue number4
StatePublished - Jul 2003
Externally publishedYes

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