Retinal vessels change in primary angle-closure glaucoma: the Handan Eye Study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally.
• Retinal vessel diameter is a potential indicator of ocular and systemic health.
• Angle closure is a significant glaucoma subtype, particularly in Asian populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) with retinal vessel caliber.
• To compare retinal vessel diameters in glaucoma patients with normal controls and pre-clinical angle closure stages.
• To analyze the arterio-venous ratio (AVR) in relation to different glaucoma types and angle closure status.

Main Methods:

• A population-based cross-sectional study (Handan Eye Study) involving 6830 Chinese adults over 30 years old.
• Measurement of central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE) using fundus photography.
• Statistical analysis adjusted for age, gender, spherical equivalent, diabetes, and hypertension.

Main Results:

• Both PACG and POAG groups showed significantly narrower CRAE and CRVE compared to normal controls, primary angle-closure suspects (PACS), and primary angle closure (PAC) individuals.
• No significant difference in CRAE or CRVE was observed between PACG and POAG.
• The mean AVR was smaller in POAG and PACG compared to normal controls, but larger in PACS and PAC.

Conclusions:

• PACG and POAG are associated with generalized narrowing of retinal arteries and veins.
• Retinal vessel caliber may serve as a biomarker for glaucoma, irrespective of the angle-closure status.
• These findings highlight the importance of retinal vascular assessment in glaucoma management and research.