Correlation between Macular Thickness and Visual Field in Early Open Angle Glaucoma: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterized by visual field loss.
• Early detection and monitoring of glaucoma are crucial for preserving vision.
• Macular structure and visual function are closely linked in ocular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between macular thickness and visual field parameters in individuals with early glaucoma.
• To determine if macular thickness and asymmetry provide meaningful diagnostic information in early glaucoma.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, prospective study involving 104 eyes with early glaucoma.
• Visual field testing using standard automated perimetry (SAP) and shortwave automated perimetry (SWAP).
• Macular thickness and asymmetry measured using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Main Results:

• Significant correlations were found between average macular thickness and all visual field parameters (MD-SWAP, MD-SAP, PSD-SWAP, PSD-SAP).
• Eyes with thinner average macular thickness exhibited significantly higher mean deviation (MD) scores.
• Intraeye macular thickness asymmetries significantly correlated with pattern standard deviation (PSD) scores from both SWAP and SAP.

Conclusions:

• Macular thickness and asymmetry are significantly associated with visual field defects in early glaucoma.
• SD-OCT-derived macular thickness measurements are valuable for assessing glaucoma severity and progression.
• These findings enhance the clinical utility of macular thickness assessment in glaucoma management.