Optical coherence tomography/scanning laser ophthalmoscopy imaging of optic nerve head drusen.

Background And Objective: To evaluate optical coherence tomography/scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (OCT/SLO) imaging for optic nerve head drusen (ONHD).

Patients And Methods: Nine consecutive eyes with ONHD were imaged. Each underwent visual field testing, 20-MHz B-scan ultrasonography, photography, and OCT/SLO imaging of the nerve head. Similar evaluation was performed on 12 matched, disease-free control eyes for comparison.

Results: OCT/SLO imaging of ONHD demonstrated lucencies (100%), variable amounts of displacement, and thickening of the overlying nerve fiber layer, as well as disorganization of the adjacent retinal pigment epithelium (44%). Optic nerve head topography was measured (using horizontal and vertical electronic calipers). Mean disc diameter was 1.81 mm (range: 1.49 to 2.12 mm). All ONHD demonstrated anterior displacement of the base of the optic nerve cup (shallowing) compared to controls. The cup base was a mean +0.32 mm anterior to the retinal pigment epithelium for ONHD versus -0.23 mm for normal controls.

Conclusion: OCT/SLO revealed unique and clinically helpful views of ONHD.