AIM: To evaluate the clinical value of retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness, optic disc parameters and macular thickness by optical coherence tomography(OCT)in early diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma(POAG).

METHODS: Sixty-five patients(eighty-five eyes)were selected as a study group and fifty-two normal people(seventy-eight eyes)were selected as a control group. The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, optic disc parameters, including cup/disc(C/D)rate, cup area(CA), cup volume(CV), disc area(DA), rim area(RA)and rim volume(RV), and macular thickness were detected by Cirrus HD-OCT. The data were compared and analyzed.

RESULTS: The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness of superior, inferior, temple, nasal and average in the study group were all significantly thinner than those of the control group(P<0.001). The cup area, cup volume and cup/disc ratio in the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.001); while the rim area and rim volume in the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group(P<0.001). But the disc area was not significantly different between two groups(P>0.05). The macular thickness of superior, inferior, temple and nasal in the study group were all significantly thinner than those of the control group(P<0.001).

CONCLUSION: OCT can detect the change of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, optic disc parameters and macular thickness, it is helpful for early diagnosis of POAG.