Purpose: To characterize functional and structural changes in eyes with generalized enlargement of optic disc cupping (vertical cup/disc ratio > or = 0.8), normal intraocular pressure, normal standard achromatic automated perimetry (SAP) results, and no other ophthalmoscopic findings suggesting glaucoma (large C/D eyes) using frequency doubling technology (FDT) and the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT).
Methods: This comparative observational case series included 30 large C/D eyes (30 subjects), 17 eyes (17 patients) with early-stage normal tension glaucoma with generalized enlargement of optic disc cupping (NTG eyes), and 25 eyes from 25 normal subjects (normal eyes). Results with Humphrey 30-2, FDT N-30 threshold programs, and HRT were compared among these groups. Large C/D eyes were subdivided into FDT-normal and -abnormal eyes according to the predetermined criteria and HRT parameters were compared among them.
Results: No significant difference was seen in HRT parameters between the large C/D and NTG eyes. In the large C/D eyes, FDT mean deviation was lower than in the normal eyes and higher than in the NTG eyes, whereas FDT pattern standard deviation was smaller than in the NTG eyes (P = 0.02-0.03). Among HRT parameters, only cup shape measure (CSM) showed significant negative correlation with FDT mean deviation in the large C/D eyes. Between FDT-normal and -abnormal subgroups, only CSM showed significant difference (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: Frequency doubling technology showed abnormalities in large C/D eyes. Only CSM showed significant correlation with FDT result and difference between those with normal and abnormal FDT results. In management of large C/D eyes, FDT and CSM will be useful to detect functional and structural change.