Effects of Smoking on Optic Nerve Head Microvasculature Density in Glaucoma.

Abstract

Decreased superficial whole image capillary density was observed in open angle glaucoma (OAG) patients with high smoking intensity. To investigate the effects of smoking on optic nerve head capillary density measured by optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with OAG. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, perimetric and preperimetric glaucoma patients enrolled in the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study (DIGS) with optical coherence tomography angiography follow-up were included. Univariable and multivariable linear mixed analysis were performed to determine the effects of different variables on the superficial whole image capillary density. A total of 432 eyes of 271 glaucoma patients comprising 63 preperimetric (106 eyes) and 208 perimetric OAG (326 eyes) were included. A history of tobacco consumption was reported in 105 (38.8%). Among smokers, mean (95% confidence interval) smoking intensity was 12.8 (10.2, 15.5) pack-years. After adjusting for age, glaucoma severity and other confounders, each 10 pack-year increase in smoking intensity (95% confidence interval) was associated with -0.54 (-1.06, -0.02) % lower whole image capillary density ( P =0.041). Smoking intensity is associated with reduced optic nerve vessel density in glaucoma.