Visual Field Mean Sensitivity Research Articles

Comparison of the TEMPO binocular perimeter and Humphrey field analyzer

This study compared between TEMPO, a new binocular perimeter, with the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA). Patients were tested with both TEMPO 24–2 Ambient Interactive Zippy Estimated by Sequential Testing (AIZE)-Rapid and HFA 24–2 Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm (SITA)-Fast in a randomized sequence on the same day. Using a mixed-effects model, visual field (VF) parameters and reliability indices were compared. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was measured using Cirrus optical coherence tomography (OCT), and coefficient of determinations for VF and OCT parameters were calculated and compared using Akaike information criteria. 740 eyes (including 68 healthy, 262 glaucoma suspects, and 410 glaucoma) of 370 participants were evaluated. No significant differences were seen in mean deviation and visual field index between the two perimeters (P > 0.05). A stronger association between VF mean sensitivity (dB or 1/L) and circumpapillary RNFL was found for TEMPO (adjusted R2 = 0.25; Akaike information criteria [AIC] = 5235.5 for dB, and adjusted R2 = 0.29; AIC = 5200.8 for 1/L, respectively) compared to HFA (adjusted R2 = 0.22; AIC = 5263.9 for dB, and adjusted R2 = 0.22; AIC = 5262.7 for 1/L, respectively). Measurement time was faster for TEMPO compared to HFA (261 s vs. 429 s, P < 0.001). Further investigations are needed to assess the long-term monitoring potential of this binocular VF test.

Macula vessel density and its relationship with the central visual field mean sensitivity across different stages of exfoliation glaucoma

ABSTRACT Clinical relevance Alterations in ocular microvasculature may contribute to pathogenesis of exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) and may improve monitoring this aggressive type of open angle glaucoma. Background This work aims to compare the macula vessel density and the relationship between macula vessel density and central visual field mean sensitivity between eyes with XFG and eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) of different stages. Methods In this cross-sectional observational study, the macula vessel density values were compared among 52 POAG cases (26 early stage, 26 moderate to advanced stage) and 53 XFG cases (27 early stage, 26 moderate to advanced stage). The vessel density values were evaluated with optical coherence tomography angiography. Vasculature–function and structure–function relationships were analysed by comparing macula vessel density, inner macula thickness and visual field mean sensitivity in early and moderate to advanced stages of XFG and POAG eyes separately. Results The early stage XFG eyes had a significantly lower global macula vessel density compared with early stage POAG eyes (42.81 ± 3.85% and 46.56 ± 3.90%, respectively; p = 0.02). However, the tendency of XFG eyes for a lower vessel density compared with the POAG eyes did not exhibit any significance in moderate to advanced stages of glaucoma (37.39 ± 5.65% and 38.35 ± 4.67%, respectively; p = 0.9). The macula vessel density (%)–visual field mean sensitivity (1/Lambert) correlation was statistically significant in early stage XFG eyes (r = 0.464 p = 0.01), while no such correlation was notable for the early stage POAG eyes (r = –0.029 p = 0.89). Conclusion The macula vessel density appears to be more severely affected in early stage XFG than POAG of similar severity, suggesting a relatively greater value of vascular insufficiency in XFG. The significant vasculature-function association in early stage XFG, which was absent in early stage POAG, may infer the importance of macula vessel density in monitoring functional loss in early stages of XFG.

Vision-Related Quality of Life Among Healthy, Preperimetric Glaucoma, and Perimetric Glaucoma Patients

To investigate the association of vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) with the central visual field and macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness in healthy control participants, patients with preperimetric glaucoma, and patients with perimetric glaucoma. Retrospective cross-sectional study. A total of 39 healthy, 34 preperimetric glaucoma, and 145 perimetric glaucoma patients completed the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ). A linear mixed-effect models was used to investigate the association between the glaucoma stage as measured by binocular 10-2 visual field mean sensitivity (VFMS) and GCC thickness with the Rasch-calibrated NEI-VFQ score. A total of 436 eyes from 218 participants (mean age=67.2 [95% CI=65.1 to 69.2] years) were enrolled. VRQOL calculated by the NEI-VFQ Rasch-calibrated score was worst for patients with perimetric glaucoma (50.7 [95% CI=47.2 to 54.2]), followed by patients with preperimetric glaucoma (41.2 [95% CI=34.5 to 47.9]) and healthy controls (29.3 [95% CI=24.0 to 34.7]. Worse VRQOL had a moderate association with a worse global binocular 10-2 VFMS (-3.4 [95% CI=-5.0 to -1.9] dB per 1 score; P < .001; adjusted R2=0.27), but not with a thinner global GCC in the better eye (-0.1 [95% CI=-0.2 to 0.1] µm per 1 score; P =.0485; adjusted R2=0.17). These findings suggest that patients with perimetric and preperimetric glaucoma have worse VRQOL than patients with healthy eyes. As compared to macular thickness measurements, the central visual field is more strongly associated with VRQOL and may better help to identify patients in need of intervention.

Structure–function relationship between central visual field and macular parameters in glaucoma patients

AbstractPurpose: To investigate the relationship between central visual field mean sensitivity (cVFMS) with macular vascularity, ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness in glaucoma patients.Methods: cVFMS was determined by Humphrey Field Analyser Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm (SITA)‐faster 24‐2 and 24‐2C test grids. Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters and macular vessel density (VD) was assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA: AngioVue RTVue XR Avanti, Optovue). GCL thickness was measured by Spectralis‐OCT and GCC thickness by Optovue‐OCT. Relationship between vascular parameters, GCL and GCC thickness with cVFMS tested on 24‐2 and 24‐2C grids, was analysed by Pearson correlation coefficient. The comparison between correlation coefficients was performed by Steiger test.Results: Transversal study involving 50 eyes from 43 glaucoma patients. No significant correlation was found between FAZ area or perimetry and cVFMS. Instead, lower foveal vessel density (FD300) was associated with worse cVFMS in 24‐2 and 24‐2C grids (0.437, p = 0.006 and 0.438, p = 0.006, respectively). Significant correlations between macular VD and cVFMS were found both with 24‐2 and 24‐2C test grids: cVFMS24 versus whole VD (0.529, p = 0.001) and cVFMS24‐2C vs whole VD (0.553, p &lt; 0.001), cVFMS24 vs parafoveal VD (0.565, p &lt; 0.001) and cVFMS24‐2C vs parafoveal VD (0.602, p &lt; 0.001), cVFMS24 vs perifoveal VD (0.514, p = 0.001) and cVFMS24‐2C vs perifoveal VD (0.539, p &lt; 0.001). GCL and GCC thickness were also associated with cVFMS24 (0.566, p &lt; 0.001 and 0.568, p &lt; 0.001, respectively) and with cVFMS24‐2C (0.542, p &lt; 0.001 and 0.544, p &lt; 0.001, respectively). Worse superior hemi‐cVFMS 24‐2 and 24‐2C was significantly correlated with lower inferior hemimacular VD, GCL and GCC thickness. Similar results were obtained when comparing inferior hemi‐cVFMS with superior hemimacular parameters. No significant differences were detected between correlations with 24‐2 and 24‐2C grids.Conclusions: The FD300, but not FAZ area or perimetry, was correlated with cVFMS. Worse cVFMS was correlated with lower macular VD and lower GCL and GCC thickness both with 24‐2 and 24‐2C test grids.

Evaluation of the segmented inner retinal layers in exfoliation glaucoma.

To investigate the macular spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) measurements of the segmented inner retinal layers in patients with exfoliation syndrome (XFS), exfoliation glaucoma (XFG). This prospective cross-sectional study included 28 eyes with XFS, 47 eyes with XFG, and 29 healthy controls. Thickness of the inner retinal layers, including retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and inner plexiform layer (IPL) was obtained from the horizontal SD-OCT scans. Functional correlation of structural parameters was analyzed using the mean sensitivity (MS) values on 10-2 visual fields. The RNFL, GCL, and IPL were thinnest in eyes with XFG. Among these retinal layers, IPL was significantly thinner in eyes with XFS than healthy controls (p = 0.02) and the IPL thickness was significantly correlated with the corresponding MS scores on 10-2 visual fields (r = 0.492, p = 0.02) in eyes with XFS. Neither GCL nor RNFL thickness values demonstrated significant correlations with functional parameters in eyes with XFS (r = 0.377, p = 0.08; r = 0.212, p = 0.34). In eyes with XFG, the IPL thickness correlated with the visual field MS scores (r = 0.572, p = 0.0007), similar to the correlation of GCL (r = 0.585, p = 0.0005) thickness with visual field scores. Segmented analysis of the macular IPL thickness presented a significant correlation with the 10-2 visual field scores not only in eyes with XFG but also in eyes with XFS. With respect to early dendritic/synaptic alterations in animal models, larger and longitudinal studies are encouraged to determine the predictive value of the IPL thickness for conversion of XFS to XFG.

Vasculature–function relationship in open-angle glaucomatous eyes with a choroidal microvasculature dropout

Identifying biomarkers associated with functional impairment is important in monitoring glaucoma patients. This retrospective cross-sectional study investigated the vasculature–function relationship in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) eyes with choroidal microvasculature dropout (CMvD) versus in OAG eyes without. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography-derived circumpapillary (cpVD) and macular vessel densities (mVD) were measured in 159 early-stage OAG eyes (mean deviation > −6 dB) in accordance with the presence or not of a CMvD. OCT-derived circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (cpRNFLT) and macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thicknesses (mGCIPLT) were also measured as reference standards. The vasculature (cpVD and mVD)–function [24-2 visual field mean sensitivity (VFMS) and central 10° VFMS (cVFMS)] and structure (cpRNFLT and mGCIPLT)–function (24-2 VFMS and cVFMS) relationships were compared using global and sectoral maps between OAG eyes with (CMvD+) and without CMvD (CMvD−). The CMvD+ eyes showed significantly steeper cpVD-24-2 VFMS and mVD-cVFMS correlations (P < 0.05). In contrast, there were no significant differences in the cpRNFLT-24-2 VFMS and mGCIPLT-cVFMS relationships between the two groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, OAG eyes with a CMvD have significantly stronger vasculature–function relationships than eyes without. Vessel density parameters may be useful biomarkers of disease progression in early-stage OAG patients with a CMvD.

Predicting a reduction in intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients in the early period after a trabeculectomy: Development and assessment of a new predictive nomogram

PurposeTo identify the factors associated with a reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) in the early postoperative period after a trabeculectomy and to develop a predictive nomogram to guide clinical care.MethodsThis study included clinical data on 588 glaucoma patients (N = 588 eyes) who underwent a trabeculectomy in our hospital between January 2016 and December 2021. There were 412 eyes in a training cohort and 176 eyes in a validation cohort. We used logistic regression analysis to evaluate whether these factors were related to a decrease in IOP in the early period postsurgery and established a predictive model by combining features selected in a univariate analysis. We used external validation for evaluation. The standard for IOP reduction was that the IOP decreased to the normal range (10−21 mmHg) 1 month after the trabeculectomy.ResultsAmong the patients in the training cohort, 82.8% met the standard for IOP lowering. There were 11 meaningful differences among the enrolled predictors, but the logistic regression analysis only showed significant differences with anterior chamber angle closed, age, preoperative IOP, axial length, and visual field mean sensitivity (MS). The C-index of the model was 0.910 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.869-0.951). The C-index was 0.956 for external validation of the model.ConclusionThis new nomogram can be used to predict whether the IOP will reach the standard in the early stages after a trabeculectomy. The anterior chamber angle closed, age, preoperative IOP, axial length, and visual field MS are independent risk factors.

The Association Between Regional Macula Vessel Density and Central Visual Field Damage in Advanced Glaucoma Eyes.

Both macular superficial vessel density and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness measurement are significantly associated with regional and global 10-degree central visual field (VF) sensitivity in advanced glaucoma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the regional and global structure-function relationships between macular vessel density (MVD) assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and 10-2 VF sensitivity in advanced open angle glaucoma eyes. Macular OCTA and 10-2 VF sensitivity of 44 patients [mean deviation (MD) <-10 dB] were evaluated. Regional and global VF mean sensitivity (MS) was calculated from total deviation plots. Superficial and deep MVD were obtained from 3 × 3 and 6×6 mm 2 OCTA scans using 2 sectoral definitions. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography macular GCC thickness was obtained simultaneously from the same scan as the MVD measurements. Linear regression models were used to assess the associations ( R2 ). Lower MS was significantly associated with a reduction in superficial MVD and GCC in each region of both scan sizes for both maps. Associations were weaker in the individual sectors of the whole image grid than the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study map. Deep-layer MVD was not associated with central MS. Although 6×6 mm 2 and perifoveal vessel density had better associations with central 10-degree MS compared with GCC thickness (eg, R2 from 25.7 to 48.1 µm and 7.8% to 32.5%, respectively), GCC associations were stronger than MVD associations in the central 5-degree MS. Given a stronger MVD-central 10-degree VF association compared with GCC, as well as stronger GCC-central 5-degree VF association compared with MVD, MVD and GCC are complementary measurements in eyes with advanced glaucoma. A longitudinal analysis is needed to determine the relative utility of the GCC and MVD measurements.

Peripapillary vessel density correlates with visual field mean sensitivity in highly myopic eyes

PurposeTo identify the global and regional distribution of peripapillary vessel density (pVD) and try to find out the relationships between pVD and the visual field mean sensitivity (VFMS) in healthy myopic eyes.DesignProspective cross-sectional study.MethodsTwo hundred and twenty-two participants (393 eyes) with myopia (myopic refractive error < − 0.5 diopters) from two clinical centers were recruited in this study and were divided into 4 groups according to the spherical equivalent (SE): Group1:− 0.5D ≥ SE > − 6.00D, Group2: − 6.00D ≥ SE > − 8.00D, Group3:− 8.00D ≥ SE > − 10.00D, Group4:SE ≤ -10.00D.The pVD assessed with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was quantified in 8 sectors. Peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) imaging was performed with SD-OCT. Visual field (VF) tests were performed with the 30-2 SITA standard program on the Humphrey 750i Visual Field Analyzer and were grouped into 8 regions that matched the structure.ResultsThe pRNFL had no significant difference in all groups (p = 0.422). The average pVD were significantly lower in group 4 (47.61 ± 6.58) than in group 2 and 3 (51.49 ± 3.21, 50.48 ± 3.43 respectively) (p < 0.05). While both pVD in group2 and 3 were statistically lower than group1 (52.77 ± 2.86). The average VFMS was significantly lower in group 4 (901.85 ± 386.54) than other three groups (1169.15 ± 328.94, 1081.77 ± 338.83, 1076.89 ± 358.18, for group1,2,3 respectively). The pVD and VFMS were positively correlated in group3 (r = 0.184) and group4 (r = 0.476) (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that VFMS were positively associated with pVD especially in temporal and nasal quadrants in myopic eyes.ConclusionsThe pVD shows a significant positive correlation with VFMS in highly myopic eyes with SE ≤ − 8.00D. We suggest that pVD measurement by OCTA could be a sensitive and useful method for monitoring myopic functional change.

Visual outcomes after endoscopic pituitary adenomas surgery: our experience

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate visual outcomes after endoscopic pituitary adenoma surgery in patients from Egas Moniz hospital between 2013 and August 2020.MethodsThis is a quantitative, observational, retrospective study. Patients with pituitary adenoma with pre‐ and post‐ surgical visual acuity (LogMAR) and chromatic vision assessment, visual field (Octopus®) testing and optical coherence tomography (Heidelberg®) retinal nerve fibers and macular thickness evaluations were included. Visual parameters were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS T‐test and Wilcoxon test. A statistically significant p‐value was defined as &lt;0.05.ResultsEighteen patients fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Of the 18 patients, 10 (55.6%) were man, with an average age of 57.4 (±16.5) years old. Fourteen (77.8%) patients had pre‐surgical visual complains for an average of 12.8 (±14.4) months, mostly painless and progressive vision loss 6 (33.3%) and blurred vision 6 (33.3%). Before surgery, most patients (38.9%) already showed contact and opto‐chiasmatic lesion, with an average lesion diameter of 33.1 (±9.2) mm.The most common histological diagnosis was gonadotrophic adenoma (44.4%) with a low mean aggressiveness (Ki 67) of 2.3 (±1.1). Showed statistical significance the difference between the paired samples (pre‐ vs post‐) “opto‐chiasmatic relationship”, “right eye visual acuity”, “right eye visual field mean sensitivity”, “right eye temporal visual field mean sensitivity”, “left eye visual field mean sensitivity”, “left eye temporal mean sensitivity” and “left eye nasal visual field mean sensitivity”. Concerning improvement in tested variables, 11 (68.8%) patients improved in all variables and 14 (82.4%) improved in at least one.ConclusionsOur results go with the current scientific evidence that pituitary adenoma resection in patients with preoperative visual symptoms considerably improve these symptoms.

Comparison of the 24-2 and 24-2C Visual Field Grids in Determining the Macular Structure-Function Relationship in Glaucoma.

The 24-2C grid showed significantly greater structure-function (S-F) associations in the global and regional sectors than the 24-2 visual field (VF) grid in open-angle glaucoma eyes. The aim was to compare a Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm-Faster (SITA-faster) 24-2C grid to a conventional HFA 24-2 grid regarding macular S-F relationships. The macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness (mGCIPLT) was measured at different parafoveal sectors using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in 150 eyes from 150 healthy, preperimetric, and perimetric glaucoma subjects. The central visual field mean sensitivity (VFMS) on the decibel and 1/L scales and the parafoveal mGCIPLT were matched topographically in 4 sectors and the strengths of the S-F relationships were assessed using "weighted" correlation coefficients and compared between 24-2C and 24-2 VF test grids. There were significant global and sectoral correlations between the mGCIPLT and VFMS using both VF grids. The S-F correlations between the average/hemimacular mGCIPLT and the corresponding VFMS using a 24-2C grid were however significantly greater in both the entire and perimetric glaucoma groups (P<0.05), except for the average mGCIPLT of the perimetric glaucoma group in the 1/L scale (P=0.065). The 24-2C grid showed significantly greater S-F associations in the superotemporal and inferotemporal parafoveal sectors than the 24-2 VF grid (both P<0.05). A 24-2C grid may offer an advantage over the conventional 24-2 VF grid in assessing macular S-F relationships.

Effects of Physiologic Myopia and Aging on Visual Fields in Normal Eyes

The purpose of this study was to investigate how mild-to-moderate myopia and aging affect visual field sensitivity (VF-S) in normal eyes, correcting for effects of each. Combined cross-sectional and cohort study. Two normal groups, a cross-sectional group (n = 703; 1,051 eyes; mean age, 52.6 years) and a longitudinal group (n = 44; 83 eyes; mean age, 52.3 years; follow-up, 4.2 years; VF tests, 12) were included. In the cross-sectional group, the mean VF-S of the entire field and 3 disc portion-oriented subfields of the Humphrey Field Analyzer 24-2 program were correlated with subjects' age, axial length (AL), disc, rim and β-peripapillary area, and disc ovality and torsion, using linear mixed-regression models. Their time changes in the longitudinal group were correlated with time, subjects' ages, and AL using linear mixed-regression models. In the cross-sectional group, the VF-S correlated negatively with age (-0.081 decibel [dB]/year; P < .001), which was more negative (P = .020) in the midperipheral than the central subfield, and with AL (P = .049) without intersubfield differences. In the longitudinal group, no changes in the ocular media were significant, and the VF-S declined by 0.074 dB/year (P = .007), which accelerated with higher age (P < .002) and baseline VF-S (P < .001) without intersubfield differences. The AL showed little effects on the VF-S longitudinal changes. In normal eyes with mild-to-moderate myopia, the VF-S was lower subfield-independently with longer AL, whereas the AL had little effect on the aging-associated VF-S reduction. The VF-S decreased with aging with intersubfield differences. The aging-associated VF-S reduction accelerated with higher age, to which the ocular media changes were unrelated.

Baseline Choroidal Microvasculature Dropout as a Predictor of Subsequent Visual Field Progression in Open-angle Glaucoma.

Choroidal microvasculature dropout (CMvD) is an independent predictor for overall and central visual field (VF) progression in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) eyes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of CMvD identified by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) at baseline on subsequent VF progression in eyes with OAG. This retrospective observational study included 80 OAG eyes with CMvD [CMvD(+)] and without CMvD [(CMvD(-)] at baseline [40 of each matched for both age (10 y and below) and baseline VF severity (≤1 dB)]. The patients were followed regularly at 6-month intervals. VF progression was defined according to the Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial criteria. Associations of overall VF progression with baseline clinical factors, including the presence of CMvD and other variables, were analyzed by logistic regression with a generalized estimating equation in the entire OAG cohort. Linear mixed models were used to determine the differences in visual field mean sensitivity (VFMS) between the CMvD(+) and CMvD(-) groups globally and regionally at each follow-up point. During a mean follow-up of 35.91±2.51 months, a significant difference was evident in the VF progression rate between the CMvD(-) and CMvD(+) groups (22.5% vs. 70%, P<0.001). CMvD at baseline and a higher visit-to-visit intraocular pressure fluctuation were significant predictors of VF progression. The VFMS differed significantly between the 2 groups at the central and superior central VF regions after 2 years of follow-up. The presence of CMvD at baseline is an independent predictor of subsequent VF progression. CMvD(+) eyes show a faster rate of VFMS loss at the central and superior central VF regions.

Relationship Between Foveal Threshold and Macular Structure/Function/Vessel Density in Glaucoma.

To investigate the hypothesis that macular structure, function, and vessel density (VD) measurements can predict foveal threshold (FT) outcomes in glaucomatous eyes. One hundred ninety-five eyes from 195 subjects (134 subjects with early-to-moderate stage open-angle glaucoma and 61 healthy controls) who underwent optical coherence tomography angiography imaging and 24-2 visual field (VF) testing with FT measurements on the same day were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The association of FT with macular structural/functional/VD measurements was evaluated using partial correlation analyses with adjustment for age and linear regression analyses. FT showed significant correlations between the thickness of the macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) (r=0.330, P<0.001) and the mean sensitivity (MS) of the central 5 and 10 degrees VF points (r=0.448, P<0.001 and r=0.361, P<0.001). Significant correlations were also found between FT and VD measurements at the inferior and superior parafoveal sectors (r=0.455, P<0.001 and r=0.438, P<0.001). In multivariate linear regression analyses controlling the covariates, the thickness of the mGCIPL, central 5 degrees VF MS, and parafoveal VD were significantly associated with FT (all P<0.001). There was also a significant association between FT and logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (β=-5.647, P<0.001). Macular VD along with mGCIPL thickness and central 5 degrees VF MS independently predict FT outcomes even in the eyes of patients with early-to-moderate stage open-angle glaucoma.

Macular Vascular Microcirculation in Eyes With Open-angle Glaucoma Using Different Visual Field Severity Classification Systems.

We found significant differences in macular vascular microcirculation between normal and glaucomatous eyes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Macular vascular microcirculation changes also showed significant correlations with visual field (VF) severity classification systems. To correlate VF severity defined by different classification systems and macular vascular microcirculation in eyes with glaucoma using OCTA. Twenty normal and 58 open-angle glaucoma (OAG) eyes were scanned using a swept-source OCTA (Plex Elite 9000) and macular vascular microcirculation was measured by calculating the overall blood flux index (BFI) and vessel area density (VAD) over the entire 6×6 mm area excluding the big retinal vessels. Glaucomatous eyes were staged into severity groups based on 4 VF severity classifications: Hodapp-Parrish-Anderson scale, Glaucoma Severity Staging system, ICD-10 glaucoma staging definitions, and VF mean deviation. Central 10-degree VF mean sensitivity (CMS) was calculated based on 24-2 VF. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the differences and correlation between macular vascular microcirculation and other clinical parameters. Glaucomatous eyes had significantly lower ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer BFI and VAD (P<0.0001) compared with normal eyes. In OAG patients, BFI and VAD were significantly higher in mild OAG compared with severe OAG with all VF disease severity classification systems (P<0.001). Glaucoma Severity Staging had the highest correlation with changes in macular vascular microcirculation metrics (r=0.734 for BFI; r=0.647 for VAD) and VF CMS had highest correlation with macular vascular microcirculation metrics (r=0.887 for BFI; r=0.903 for VAD). Macular vascular microcirculation metrics detected by OCTA correlate with disease severity in glaucomatous eyes. VF CMS, calculated from only 12 tested central 10-degree points, correlated best with macular OCTA.

Relationship between Macular Vessel Density and Focal Electroretinograms in Early Normal Tension Glaucoma

ABSTRACTPurpose: To evaluate the relationship between the macular vessel density and photopic negative response (PhNR) amplitude of focal electroretinograms (ERGs) in patients with early-stage normal tension glaucoma (NTG).Materials and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included a total of 42 subjects with early-stage NTG. Optical coherence tomography angiography was used to measure macular vessel density, and focal ERGs were elicited by a white light stimulus (30 cd/m2) with background light (1.5 cd/m2). The amplitude of the PhNR was measured from the peak of the b-wave to the PhNR trough. Mean visual field sensitivity was measured by the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) program central 10–2. Spearman’s coefficients were used to evaluate the correlation between the macular vessel density, PhNR amplitude, mean deviation (MD) of the HFA 10–2, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness measured by spectral domain-optical coherence tomography.Results: The mean MD of the HFA 10–2 was −2.0 ± 3.2 dB. The PhNR amplitude significantly correlated with the macular vessel density (r = 0.420, P = 0.006), but not with the MD, GCC thickness, or RNFL thickness. The macular vessel density significantly correlated with the MD (r = 0.364, P = 0.018) and RNFL thickness (r = 0.369, P = 0.016), but not with GCC thickness (r = 0.266, P = 0.089).Conclusions: Macular vessel density significantly correlated with PhNR amplitude in patients with early-stage NTG, suggesting that microvascular alterations are associated with functional changes recorded by focal ERG in very early-stage glaucoma.

Greater Severity of Glaucomatous Damage in Eyes With Than Without Choroidal Microvasculature Dropout in Open-Angle Glaucoma.

To assess whether open-angle glaucoma (OAG) eyes with choroidal microvasculature dropout (CMvD) have greater severity of glaucomatous damage compared to those eyes without CMvD. In this retrospective case-control study, 80 eyes of 80 OAG patients with visual field (VF) defects confined to a superior hemifield (40 eyes with CMvD and 40 eyes without CMvD matched for age [≤10 years], axial length [≤1 mm], and VF loss [≤1 dB (decibel)]) and 43 healthy eyes were consecutively included. The circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (cpRNFLT), macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness (mGCIPLT), circumpapillary vessel density (cpVD), parafoveal VD (pfVD), and VF mean sensitivity (VFMS) were measured. The relationships between CMvD angular extent and structural/VD/functional measures were assessed at both hemiretinae in OAG eyes with CMvD. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between significant cpRNFLT reduction at perimetrically intact hemiretinae and relevant clinical variables. Sectoral cpRNFLT and mGCIPLT in the perimetrically intact hemiretinae of eyes with CMvD were significantly lower than those of eyes without CMvD (P < 0.05). There were significant correlations between CMvD angular extent and sectoral measures of structural/VD/functional parameters at perimetrically intact hemiretinae as well as perimetrically affected hemiretinae in OAG eyes with CMvD. The presence and extent of CMvD had a significant influence on cpRNFLT reduction at perimetrically intact hemiretinae (P < 0.05). OAG eyes with CMvD showed significantly lower cpRNFLT and mGCIPLT than those without CMvD at the hemiretinae corresponding to intact hemifields, thus requiring more vigilant attention for greater disease severity.

Relationship between vessel density and visual field sensitivity in glaucomatous eyes with high myopia

AimsTo investigate the global and regional relationships between peripapillary vessel density (pVD) and visual field mean sensitivity (VFMS) in glaucomatous eyes with and without high myopia in comparison with those...

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Macular Vascular Density Measurements and the Central 10-2 Visual Field in Glaucoma.

To evaluate the association between macula vascular density assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) and central visual field (VF) threshold sensitivities in healthy, glaucoma suspect, and glaucoma patients. A total of 185 eyes from 38 healthy participants, 31 glaucoma suspects, 72 mild glaucoma patients, and 44 moderate/severe glaucoma patients from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study who underwent OCT-A images of the macula and 10-2 VF testing were enrolled in this observational cross-sectional study. The relationship between central VF mean sensitivity (MS) and superficial macula whole-image vessel density (wiVD), and the relationship between the MS of the 4 central points of the 10-2 VF (MS4) and parafoveal vessel density (pfVD), were assessed using linear regression models. Mean wiVD (52.5%, 49.8%, 49.4% and 45.2%, respectively) and mean pfVD (54.9%, 52.1%, 51.8% and 47.7%, respectively) were found to be significantly higher in healthy eyes and glaucoma suspect eyes compared with glaucoma eyes with mild and moderate/severe disease [analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) P<0.001]. The univariate associations between 10-2 MS and wiVD (R=26.9%) and between 10-2 MS4 and pfVD (R=16.8%) were statistically significant (P<0.001 for both). After adjusting for scan quality, age, sex and intraocular pressure, superficial macula wiVD and pfVD were still independently associated with central VF loss. Macula wiVD performed better [area under the receiver operator characteristic (AUROC)=0.70] than ganglion cell complex thickness (AUROC=0.50) for differentiating between glaucoma suspect and healthy eyes (P=0.010). Loss of OCT-A macula vessel density is associated with central 10-2 VF defects. Macula vessel density is a clinically relevant parameter that may enhance monitoring of glaucoma suspects and patients.

Choroidal Microvasculature Dropout Is Associated With Parafoveal Visual Field Defects in Glaucoma

To determine whether the frequency of parafoveal visual field (VF) damage differs according to the presence of choroidal microvasculature dropout (CMvD) in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and to assess correlations between the angular circumference of CMvD and the severity of VF defects. Retrospective case-control study. This study enrolled 88 eyes of 88 consecutive OAG patients (44 with CMvD and 44 without CMvD matched for age [≤5 years], axial length [≤1mm], and the severity of VF loss [≤1 dB]). Angular circumference of CMvD was determined from choroidal layer images obtained from optical coherence tomography angiography. Demographic and ocular characteristics, including the presence of parafoveal VF defects and VF mean sensitivity (MS), were compared between OAG eyes with CMvD and those without. Logistic regression analyses were performed to derive the clinical factors associated with parafoveal VF defects. The relationships between CMvD angular circumference and global/regional VF defect severity were assessed. Parafoveal VF defects were observed in 96% (42/44) of eyes with CMvD but only in 39% (17/44) of eyes without CMvD. OAG eyes with CMvD showed significantly lower superior parafoveal VF MS compared to those without. A significant association was found between parafoveal VF defects and CMvD in OAG eyes, and CMvD angular circumference was significantly correlated with the severity of VF defects. The involvement of parafoveal VF defects was significantly associated with the presence of CMvD. Among eyes with CMvD, CMvD angular circumference had significant correlations with the severity of VF defects.