Macular Thickness Assessment in Patients with Glaucoma and Its Correlation with Visual Fields

Abstract

AimTo determine the relationship between macular thickness (MT) and visual field (VF) parameters, as well as with changes in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OH).Materials and methodsCross-sectional statistical analysis of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) compared with several VF parameters (mean defect - MD and loss variance - LV), in a nonrandom sample of 70 eyes from patients with glaucoma or OH. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences®. The correlation coefficient used was determined by Spearman correlation and the value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsA significant correlation was seen between VF parameters and decrease in MT (MD: r = –0.363, p = 0.002; LV: r=–0.378, p = 0.001). The results were more significant when we compared the LV in the group with average MT 270 to 300 μm (r = –0.413, p = 0.015). Asymmetry between the superior macula and inferior macula correlated with LV (r = 0.432, p = 0.019) in the group with MT < 270 μm. There was also a significant correlation between thinning of superior-temporal and inferior-temporal RNFL and the decrease of the superior and inferior MT respectively (p < 0.001).ConclusionSpectral domain optical coherence tomography measurements of retinal thickness in the macula correlate with VF parameters and RNFL parameters in glaucoma patients. This relationship was first demonstrated with static computerized perimetry made with Octopus 101®. These results can be a valuable aid for evaluating and monitoring of glaucoma patients, establishing a correlation between structure and function. Measurements of retinal thickness in the macula may be an additional instrument for early detection of structural changes and its correlation with functional defects.How to cite this articleMota M, Vaz FT, Ramalho M, Pedrosa C, Lisboa M, Kaku P, Esperancinha F. Macular Thickness Assessment in Patients with Glaucoma and Its Correlation with Visual Fields. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2016;10(3):85-90.

Structure–function relationship and diagnostic value of macular ganglion cell complex measurement using Fourier-domain OCT in glaucoma

“…However, some studies suggest that macular thickness correlate with VF parameters and RNFL parameters in glaucoma patients. [ 21 ] Some studies suggest that glaucomatous damage to the macula early in the disease can be missed and/or underestimated with standard VF tests that use a 6-degree grid, such as the 24-2 VF test. [ 22 ] In our study, VF sensitivity and macular thickness did not show a statistically significant relationship, which could be because of the small sample size or because glaucomatous damage to the macula early in the disease may have been missed and/or underestimated.…”

Macular thickness in patients with refractive errors

“…Ранее было показано, что по мере прогрессирования глаукомы уменьшается толщина сетчатки в макулярной области в сравнении со здоровыми глазами [1,10,12]. Выявлена корреляционная связь между толщиной сетчатки и изменениями поля зрения при глаукоме [13,14]. Таким образом, оценивая только результаты сканирования сетчатки в макулярной области, можно заподозрить глаукому и расширить дальнейшую диагностику.…”

Discrimination of Eyes With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma From Normal Using Macular Gc-Ipl Thickness

“…Optical coherence tomography (OCT) machine measures the thickness of the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) at the macula and the RNFL in the peripapillary region of the retina [11][12][13]. Increasing the image resolution of OCT enables it to measure the thickness of all retinal layers as well as monitor their changes over time.…”