Width of abnormal ganglion cell complex area determined using optical coherence tomography to predict glaucoma

Abstract

We examined the relationships of ganglion cell complex (GCC) parameters determined on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), especially the width of abnormal areas, and its ability to detect various stages of glaucoma. OCT parameters of glaucomatous and normal eyes were determined with the RTVue SD-OCT. Widths of abnormal GCC areas marked by either red or yellow on the OCT significance map were quantified with image J software. The relationships between the abnormal GCC area and other GCC parameters [thickness, focal loss volume (FLV), and global loss volume (GLV)] and the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness were determined using regression analyses. The potential of using the GCC and RNFL parameters to discriminate between glaucomatous and normal eyes was examined using the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics (ROC). One hundred and eighteen glaucomatous eyes and 45 normal control eyes were studied. Nonlinear models best described the relationships between abnormal GCC area and other GCC parameters. Scatter plots showed changes in the average thickness of the GCC and RNFL, and the average sizes of the GLV preceded changes of abnormal areas of the GCC. The width of the abnormal areas on the GCC thickness map was comparable with other parameters for diagnosing glaucoma. OCT thickness parameters appeared to decrease faster than the area parameter at the initial stage of glaucoma. The sizes of abnormal areas of the GCC were the most pertinent parameters for detecting glaucoma.