ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between optic disc hemorrhage and localized retinal never fiber layer defects (RNFLDs) in norma l tension glaucoma.MethodsIn 83 patients with normal-tension glaucoma, the cumulative frequency and quadrantal distribution of optic disc hemorrhages were retrospectively analyzed. The neighboring relation between optic disc hemorrhages and RNFLDs in a same quadrant and the changes of correspondin gretinal never fiber layer (RNFL) after the occurrence of optic disc hemorrhages were observed by tridimensional photochromy of ocular fundus.Results(1) The occurrences and distribution of optic disc hemorrhages: 29of83(34.94%) patients (33 eyes) had totally 58 occurrences, including 39 in infer iotemporal area, 14 in superiotemporal area, and 5 in other area. (2) The relati onship of neighborhood between optic disc hemorrhages and RNFLDs: in the availab le tridimensional photochrome, 23 occurrences in 15 patients (16 eyes) were foun d with cuneiform RNFLDs in the same quadrant, in which 22 was near the border of cuneiform RNFLDs. (3) The changes of corresponding retinal never fiber layer (R NFL) after the occurrence of optic disc hemorrhages: the photochromes of 24 occurrences in 20 patients (21 eyes) were kept well in the initial and the 2-year follow-up periods, while the changes of RNFL were found in each region correspon ding to the 19 occurrences (in inferiotemporal or superiotemporal area) in the initial photochrome, including 7 cuneiform defects with various sizes, and 12 developed localized RNFLDs next to the initial hemorrhages in the optic disc. No obvious localized RNFL corresponding to the other 5 occurrences (1 in inferiotempo ral, 1 in superiotemporal, and 3 in other areas) were found in the follow up period.ConclusionOptic disc hemorrhages in normal-tension glaucoma occur mostly in inferiotemporal area, and secondly in superiotemporal area of optic disc, and the appearance of optic disc hemorrhages may suggest that the localized RNFLDS would develop in the associated regions.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：339-342)