Microvasculature Dropout and Development of Normal Tension Glaucoma in Glaucoma Suspects: The Normal Tension Glaucoma Suspect Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the contribution of vessel parameters to identify normal tension glaucoma (NTG) suspects at risk of NTG development.

DESIGN

Multicenter prospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS: A total of 307 eyes of 307 NTG suspects having intraocular pressure within the normal range; a suspicious optic disc, but without definite localized retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects; and a normal visual field (VF).

METHODS

To measure laminar vessel density (VD), the VD was measured in the intradisc region from images of the deep vascular layers of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Conversion to NTG was defined either by a new localized RNFL defect in the superotemporal or inferotemporal region, or the presence of a glaucomatous VF defect on 2 consecutive tests according to the pattern deviation plots.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Conversion to NTG.

RESULTS

In total, 73 (23.8%) of the 307 NTG suspects converted to NTG during the follow-up period of 59.84 ± 12.44 months. Detection rate of microvasculature dropout (MvD) was significantly higher in NTG suspects who progressed to NTG (50.7%) than in those who did not (6.4%; P < .001). The macular deep VD (P = .006) and laminar deep VD (P = .004) were significantly lower in NTG suspects who progressed to NTG. The presence of MvD (P < .001) and lower laminar deep VD (P = .006) were significantly associated with NTG conversion.

CONCLUSIONS

NTG suspects with baseline MvD or a lower laminar deep VD on OCT-A had a higher risk of conversion.