Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 25, 2025
07:18
Evaluation of Capillary and Other Vessel Contribution to Macular Perfusion Density Measured with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: February 18, 2022
2.1K
Deep-layer Microvasculature Dropout in Preperimetric Glaucoma Patients
Min Hee Suh1, Jeong Ho Na1, Linda M Zangwill2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, South Korea.
Journal of Glaucoma
|March 25, 2020
Summary
Deep-layer microvasculature dropout is common in early primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). This dropout is linked to more severe disease, including thinner retinal nerve fiber layers and worse visual field defects.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Glaucoma Research
- Microvascular Imaging
Background:
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
- Early detection and understanding of disease progression factors are crucial for managing POAG.
- Deep-layer microvasculature dropout represents a potential indicator of glaucomatous damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare disease severity in preperimetric primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients with and without deep-layer microvasculature dropout.
- To identify associations between deep-layer microvasculature dropout and specific markers of glaucoma severity.
Main Methods:
- Ninety-four eyes of preperimetric POAG patients with β-zone parapapillary atrophy (βPPA) were analyzed using optical coherence tomography angiography.
- Eyes were categorized based on the presence or absence of deep-layer microvasculature dropout.
- Disease severity parameters, including visual field mean deviation (VF MD) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, were compared.
Main Results:
- Deep-layer microvasculature dropout was detected in 35.1% of eyes.
- Eyes with dropout exhibited significantly thinner RNFL, worse VF MD, and a higher prevalence of focal lamina cribrosa (LC) defects.
- Worse VF MD, thinner RNFL, and focal LC defects were significantly associated with dropout.
Conclusions:
- Deep-layer microvasculature dropout is prevalent in preperimetric POAG and associated with indicators of more severe disease.
- These findings suggest a potential role for microvasculature dropout in glaucoma pathogenesis.
- Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenic role of deep-layer microvasculature dropout in glaucoma development and progression.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
1.1K
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
1.1K
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
891
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
891