Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acute intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation on optic disc morphology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ophthalmodynamometry was used to increase the IOP of normal, healthy eyes. Confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy of the optic nerve head using the Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph II (Heidelberg GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany) and IOP measurements were obtained before, during, and after IOP elevation. RESULTS: Sixteen eyes of 16 normal volunteers (mean age, 32.8 +/- 11.9 years) were enrolled. Rim area, rim volume, cup area, cup volume, cup-to-disc ratio, mean cup depth, maximum cup depth, mean retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and RNFL cross-sectional area showed significant changes during IOP elevation (all P < .05, paired t test). All measured parameters returned to their original values after pressure resolution (all P > .2) except mean RNFL thickness (P = .03). CONCLUSION: Transient elevation of IOP results in measurable alterations in optic nerve head topography

This study compared a new disposable silicone eyecup for high-frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy to the standard hard plastic eyecup. The results showed the silicone eyecup attenuated leakage of the medium in which the probe was immersed, decreased scanning time, decreased distortion of the iris and angle during scanning, enhanced image quality, and improved patient comfort. These findings indicate the silicone eyecup is a good alternative to the hard plastic eyecup and also is easier to use