Structure-function correlation of localized visual field defects and macular microvascular damage in primary open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate regional alterations of macular microvasculature in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and to determine the structure-function correlation between localized visual field defects and macular microvascular damage in matching sectors.

METHODS

Fifty-eight patients with POAG and 27 normal controls were recruited for this study. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to measure retinal vascular microcirculation of the macula in superior, inferior, temporal, and nasal sectors. Visual field (VF) was tested using automated perimeter. Sensitivities of 16 central points of the VF were selected and divided into the 4 previously mentioned sectors. Structure-function correlation analysis was performed between localized visual field defects and the matching macular microvasculature damage. The relationship was also assessed using a previously described model.

RESULTS

The temporal vascular density was thinner than those of the superior and inferior positions of parafovea in the control group (P < 0.05). Vascular densities in all sectors were decreased in the POAG group compared with the normal control group (P < 0.05). The structure-function correlation coefficients between sectors of VF sensitivity and the matched vascular densities ranged from 0.295 to 0.433 (P < 0.01). The coefficient of determination between OCT derived vascular density measurements and the estimates using the previous model ranged from 0.08 to 0.19. The best fit was in the inferior sector.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with age-matched control subjects, vascular density of the parafoveal retina decreased in the POAG subjects. There is a moderate structure-function correlation between visual field sensitivity thresholds measured with automated perimeter and macular vascular density assessed by OCT.