Diagnostic ability of optical coherence tomography with a normative database to detect band atrophy of the optic nerve.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic ability of stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT) with a normative database to detect band atrophy (BA) of the optic nerve.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

StratusOCT retinal nerve fiber layer thickness scans were obtained in 37 eyes with BA and permanent temporal visual field defect and 37 healthy eyes. The categorization of eyes according to the normative database of the instrument and sensitivity and specificity values were reported.

RESULTS

The average thickness parameter demonstrated the highest sensitivity for detection of abnormalities in eyes with BA, followed by the parameters related to the temporal and nasal quadrants. Values of sensitivity were relatively lower for the 30 degree segments.

CONCLUSION

StratusOCT with a normative database performed well in detecting retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) loss in eyes with BA. Clinicians should be aware of possible detection failure in the 30 degree segmental analysis, particularly at the 3 o'clock meridian.