Glaucoma

Glaucoma Background

Unlock FRCOphth Part 2 Study Notes to access this content.

Get access
  • A progressive optic neuropathy
  • Second leading cause of blindness worldwide
  • 1% over 40 and 3% over 70

European Glaucoma Society significant abnormalities

  • Abnormal glaucoma hemifield test
  • Three abnormal points p<5% level (one of which being <1% level) and none contiguous with the blind spot
  • Corrected PSD <5% if the VF is otherwise normal (confirmed on two consecutive tests with no other retinal/neurological disease)

IOP measuring devices

  • Goldmann applanation tonometry
    • Calibrated for subjects with average CCT of 520 so greatly affected by deviation in CCT
  • Reichart Ocular Response Analyser: automated, non-contact device
  • Pascal dynamic contours tonometer: less affected by CCT than GAT
  • Tono-Pen: affected by CCT but less by corneal curvature
  • Icare: affected by CCT but less by corneal curvature (only device that does not need topical anaesthesia)

Subtypes of glaucomatous disc damage

  • Type 1 focal ischaemic: focal notch in NRR with localised field defect

    • Females
    • Migraine
    • Vasospasm
  • Type 2 myopic glaucomatous: temporal crescent without degenerative myopia

    • Dense superior/inferior field loss
    • Younger males
  • Type 3 senile sclerotic: shallow saucerised cup with sloping rim

    • Elderly
    • Hypertensives
    • Cardiovascular disease
  • Type 4 concentrically enlarging: thinning of the entire rim without a notch, diffuse field loss

    • High IOP at presentation
    • Younger patients
  • Type 5 mixed

Grading glaucomatous damage

  • Grade 1: minimal cupping, nasal step or paracentral scotoma, MD <-6bD
  • Grade 2: NRR thinning, arcuate scotoma, MD <-12dB
  • Grade 3: marked cupping, extensive field loss, including central 5 degrees, MD >-12dB
  • Grade 4: gross cupping, small residual field

Parapapillary changes

  • Alpha zone: outer of the two

    • Variable hyper- and hypopigmentation of the RPE.
    • Occurs with same frequency in normal subjects as in POAG but is larger in POAG
  • Beta zone: inner of the two

    • Represents loss of RPE and choriocapillaris
    • Occurs with greater frequency in POAG

Disc haemorrhage differential

  • Glaucoma
  • PVD
  • Diabetes
  • BRVO
  • Anticoagulation

Differential of glaucoma-like optic discs and visual fields

  • Missed elevated IOP: diurnal, poor measurement technique, thin CCT
  • Previous high IOP now resolved (eg. uveitic, steroid related)
  • Hypotensive/shock optic neuropathy
  • Compressive optic neuropathy: consider CT/MRI
  • Ischaemic optic neuropathy
  • GCA
  • Macular degeneration
  • Juxtapapillary choroiditis
  • Myopia
  • Demyelination

Gonioscopy grading

Shaffer: 0-4 (based on angularity)

  • 0: angle closed
  • 1: narrow angle, extreme (less than 10 degrees)
  • 2: narrow angle, 10-20 degrees
  • 3: wide open, 20-35 degrees
  • 4: wide open, 35-45 degrees

Scheie: I-IV (based on visible structure)

  • Wide open: all structures visible
  • I: slightly narrowed, but ciliary body visible
  • II: ciliary body not visible
  • III: posterior half of trabecular meshwork not visible
  • IV: no structures visible

Spaeth system

  • More complex and includes notation for iris configuration and response to indentation

Was this page helpful?

Previous
Ectopia Lentis