Purpose: To compare peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer thickness in POAG and normal eyes.

Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed as POAG and normal subjects were included in the study. After getting informed consent, detailed history was taken. All subjects had a complete ophthalmologic examination including thorough slit lamp examination, Gonioscopy, dilated fundus examination, intra ocular pressure measurement using Goldmann Applanation tonometry. Glaucomatous eyes and normal subjects were designated based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. OCT RNFL thickness were obtained for all these eyes. Peripapillary RNFL thickness (average and for superior, inferior, nasal and temporal) was obtained. Visual field examination using Humphrey Field Analyser was done in all selected eyes. Peripapillary RNFL thickness is compared among normal and glaucomatous eyes for average value and for superior, inferior, nasal and temporal values.

Results: Average peripapillary RNFL thickness in normal control group were found to be 98.8±6.4mm while in glaucomatous eyes were found to be 74.2±16.6mm.  Mean RNFL thickness in superior quadrant in normal eyes were 122.2±8.2mm and in glaucomatous eyes were 92.1±26.7mm.Mean RNFL thickness in inferior quadrant in normal eyes were 131±15.2mm and in glaucomatous eyes were 91.5±26.8mm.Mean peripapillary RNFL thickness in nasal quadrant in normal and glaucomatous eyes were respectively 76.8±7.9mm and 59±13.3mm. In temporal quadrant, mean peripapillary RNFL thickness in normal and glaucomatous eyes were respectively 64.7±11.3mm and 53.9±12.4mm. In all these four quadrants mean peripapillary RNFL thickness on glaucomatous eyes were found to be decreased than normal control group.

Conclusion: OCT peripapillary RNFL thickness measurement serves as an accurate and sensitive diagnostic modality for diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma. OCT demonstrates significant RNFL thinning in POAG patients.