AIM: To evaluate the application ofoptical coherence tomography(OCT)and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness(RNFL)measured by rapid and repeated methods in the diagnosis of glaucoma repeated significance.

METHODS: Stratus OCT were measured in 38 normal subjects and 42 patients with the primary RNFL thickness of open angle glaucoma patients. Rapid and repeated scanning was applied respectively to measure the RNFL thickness of patients with normal and primary open angle glaucoma. The average RNFL thickness's related coefficient and various coefficient of the temporal, upper, lower and nasal region made reproducibility assessment.

RESULTS: In normal and primary open angle glaucoma patients, the overall average RNFL thickness and lateral temporal, above, nasal, below RNFL thickness, in which two groups did not show differences; repeated scanning average RNFL thickness was measured in fast scanning scheme around the optic disc, and had higher ICC and lower value of CV, there were significant differences in the temporal region(P=0.042). The temporal, nasal, upper and lower area of the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness of the ICC(CV)values were as follows: fast scan was 0.918(7.2%), 0.831(6.82%), 0.856(5.12%), 0.911(7.19%); repeated scans were 0.927(3.21%), 0.962(5.01%), 0.909(6.02%), 0.869(4.67%), 0.918(6.89%).

CONCLUSION: In normal subjects and patients with primary open angle glaucoma, the application of rapid and repeated scanning in measurement of RNFL with OCT thickness has repeated significance, but repeated scanning scheme in the assessment of RNFL thickness is more accurate.