Sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic procedures in primary open-angle glaucoma

Abstract

Introduction. It can be difficult and challenging for an ophthalmologist to diagnose Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG), particularly in its early stage, due to inherent variabilityin the general populations well as inability to make a clear distinction between normal condition and glaucoma. The degree of sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic procedures applied in the diagnostics and monitoring of glaucoma may have a significant impact on the accuracy of diagnosis of POAG. Aim of the study. To determine the degree of sensitivity and specificity of available tests for the diagnosis of POAG in the observed sample of subjects. Patients and Methods. A prospective cross-section study was used to collect data referring to diagnostic procedures applied in 30 healthy subjects (30 eyes) of the control group and 30 newly diagnosed patients with POAG (30 eyes) of the target group, where the sensitivity, specificity and overall diagnostic precision of the diagnostic procedures in diagnosing glaucoma were evaluated. Results. The stereoscopic assessment of vertical Cup/Disc ratio proved to be the diagnostic test with the highest precision, along with the highest grade of sensitivity and specificity for diagnostics of glaucoma, presented in the following values: 94.7%, 89.3% and 86.7 %, respectively. Conclusion. Stereoscopic evaluation of vertical Cup / Disc ratio is a generally accepted, simple and inexpensive method for diagnosing glaucoma in daily clinical practice, while this parameter is of low diagnostic value, if viewed in isolation. It is necessary to combine as many available diagnostic procedures as possible in order to provide higher precision in diagnosis of glaucoma.

Keywords

• primary open-angle glaucoma
• diagnostics
• sensitivity
• specificity