[Morphometric features in the lamina cribrosa observed by a scanning laser ophthalmoscope].

PURPOSE: We describe a method for the morphometric analysis of the pores in the lamina cribrosa using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO: Rodenstock company, Germany).

METHODS

Four eyes with glaucoma and four eyes with non-glaucoma patients were examined. Sixteen consecutive images were acquired from the surface of the retina to the bottom of the optic disc excavation with +0.25 diopter increments by a He-Ne laser (633 nm) under 20 degree field of view. The images from each section were processed and combined with the aid of Macintosh software.

RESULTS

Eyes with physiological cupping showed uniformly round or elliptical pores, whereas compressed and elongated pores were frequently encountered in eyes with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

CONCLUSION

The technique described allows, in vivo morphometry of the surface of the internal lamina cribrosa and was considered to be useful to evaluate glaucomatous progression.