Predicting the onset of glaucoma: the confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy ancillary study to theOcular Hypertension Treatment Study.

Objective: To evaluate the predictive ability of baseline confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (CSLO) Glaucoma Probability Score (GPS) for the development of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and to compare it with the Moorfields regression analysis (MRA) classification, other topographic optic disc parameters, and stereophotograph-based cup-to-disc ratio.

Design: Longitudinal, randomized clinical trial.

Participants: We included 857 eyes of 438 participants in the CSLO Ancillary Study to the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) with good quality baseline CSLO images.

Glaucoma neuroprotection: What is it? Why is it needed?

The glaucomas are a group of ocular diseases characterized by progressive optic nerve damage and visual loss. Although there is good laboratory evidence for glaucoma neuroprotection by several drugs, the evidence from randomized clinical trials is lacking.

Comparability of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements of optical coherence tomography instruments.

Purpose: To compare retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurements between two ocular coherence tomography (OCT) instruments (OCT 2000 and Stratus OCT; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) and compare their diagnostic precision.

Methods: One hundred thirty-nine consecutive subjects were imaged (3 x 3.4-mm diameter circular scans) on the same day with each instrument.

Prostaglandin FP agonists alter metalloproteinase gene expression in sclera.

Purpose: The present study was undertaken to determine whether exposure of the sclera to prostaglandin (PG)F(2alpha) or to the PGF(2alpha) analogue latanoprost acid alters mRNA for matrix metalloproteinases.

Method: Fifteen human eye bank eyes were studied. Circular pieces of sclera were either immediately preserved in a stabilization reagent or cultured in low-serum DMEM/F-12 medium.

Risk assessment in the management of patients with ocular hypertension.

Purpose: To develop a model for estimating the global risk of disease progression in patients with ocular hypertension and to calculate the "number-needed-to-treat" (NNT) to prevent progression to blindness as an aid to practitioners in clinical decision making.

Design: Development of a mathematical model for estimating risk of glaucoma progression.

Methods: Population-based studies of patients with ocular hypertension and glaucoma were reviewed by a panel of glaucoma specialists.

Primary open-angle glaucoma.

Primary open-angle glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy and, perhaps, the most common form of glaucoma. Because the disease is treatable, and because the visual impairment caused by glaucoma is irreversible, early detection is essential. Early diagnosis depends on examination of the optic disc, retinal nerve fibre layer, and visual field.

Fourier analysis of scanning laser polarimetry measurements with variable corneal compensation in glaucoma.

Purpose: To apply Fourier analysis to the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements obtained with scanning laser polarimetry (SLP), by using variable corneal compensation, and to evaluate the ability of this method to discriminate glaucomatous from normal eyes.

Methods: The study included one eye each of 55 patients with glaucoma and 52 healthy subjects. RNFL thickness measurements were obtained with a modified commercial scanning laser polarimeter (GDx Nerve Fiber Analyzer; Laser Diagnostic Technologies, Inc.