[Evaluating retinal nerve fiber layer by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficiency of scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) on detecting retinal nerve fiber layer defects (RNFLD).

METHODS

95 eyes with primary open angle glaucoma, 37 ocular hypertension, 83 glaucomatous suspect and 34 normal eyes were investigated by SLO to evaluate the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). Recording tapes of 68 eyes were re-investigated by two investigators for estimating the intra- and inter-observer agreement.

RESULTS

The intra- and inter-observer agreement of the presence and types of RNFLD was fairly good (Kappa values were 0.66 - 0.76 and 0.59 - 0.65 respectively). The sensitivity and specificity in detecting RNFLD by SLO were 80.0% and 94.1% respectively.

CONCLUSION

The evaluation of RNFL by SLO is a quick, accurate and safe method. It may be clinically useful in the diagnosis of glaucoma.