[The influence of intraocular pressure reduction with medication on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements obtained with scanning laser polarimetry in glaucomatous and hypertensive eyes].

PURPOSE To evaluate changes in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness as measured by scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) after the use of medication to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucomatous or ocular hypertensive patients. METHODS The authors prospectively enrolled 37 eyes of 37 patients in whom IOP was reduced by more than 25% after the use of medication. The images were obtained before and 15 to 30 days after the introduction of medication. The SLP parameters measured before and after the use of medication were compared using paired Student's t Test. RESULTS The mean IOP was significantly reduced from 26.57 +/- 4.23 mmHg to 16.54 +/- 2.92 mmHg after the use of medication (p < 0.05). None of the 10 SLP analyzed parameters was significantly affected by the reduction of IOP with medication (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, as measured by SLP, is not affected by the reduction of IOP with medication in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.