Purpose: We describe a method for the morphometric analysis of the pores in the lamina cribrosa using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO: Rodenstock company, Germany).
Methods: Four eyes with glaucoma and four eyes with non-glaucoma patients were examined. Sixteen consecutive images were acquired from the surface of the retina to the bottom of the optic disc excavation with +0.25 diopter increments by a He-Ne laser (633 nm) under 20 degree field of view. The images from each section were processed and combined with the aid of Macintosh software.
Results: Eyes with physiological cupping showed uniformly round or elliptical pores, whereas compressed and elongated pores were frequently encountered in eyes with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).
Conclusion: The technique described allows, in vivo morphometry of the surface of the internal lamina cribrosa and was considered to be useful to evaluate glaucomatous progression.