Peripapillary Choroidal Thickness Measurement in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract

Background: Glaucoma is one of the most typical causes of irreversible visual impairment in the globe, Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common subtype of the disease and can impact the quality of life by affecting the visual field even if the patient is unaware of his diagnosis. Aim of the work: To measure the peripapillary choroidal thickness (PCT) in POAG patients and to assess the correlation between peripapillary choroidal thickness and the degree of the condition using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Patients and Methods: A prospective, observational case-control study was carried out from March 2021 till March 2022 at Al-Azhar University Hospitals involving 40 eyes of twenty-four adult subjects, 20 eyes of 10 healthy persons, and 20 eyes of 14 patients previously diagnosed with POAG. Results: 40 eyes of 24 subjects were enrolled in this study, with a mean age of 56.16 years old. 41.66% of patients were males [10/24], while females were 58.33% [14/24]. PCT in the glaucoma group was less than in the control group; however, the difference was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: No significant correlation between PCT in POAG and the severity of the condition so peripapillary choroidal thickness has no role in the diagnosis or follow-up of primary open-angle glaucoma.