Optic Nerve Head and Macular Vascular Density Changes in Different Stage Glaucoma

Abstract

Aim: The vascular theory is thought to have an important place in the pathophysiology of glaucoma. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the structural and vascular changes in both eyes of patients with glaucoma at different stages and to investigate the relationship between structural and vascular structures. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study conducted between 2018 and 2019, 54 eyes of 27 patients with bilateral asymmetric glaucoma were included. Eyes with glaucoma were evaluated into 2 groups: an earlier stage and an advanced stage. All data is provided from the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) device. The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness, and rim area (RA) were measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The optic nerve head total (tVD), peripapillary (ppVD), intradisc (idVD), macular superficial (msVD), parafoveal (pasVD), perifoveal (pesVD), and deep macular vascular density values were compared with using OCTA. The correlation was investigated between thinning in the structural parameters and a decrease in the vascular density parameters. Results: There was a significant difference in both optic nerve head vascular density parameters (tVD, ppVD) and superficial macular vascular density parameters between the eyes with asymmetric glaucoma (p