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In Vivo Methods to Assess Retinal Ganglion Cell and Optic Nerve Function and Structure in Large Animals
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The Relationship Between Macula Retinal Ganglion Cell Density and Visual Function in the Nonhuman Primate
Kwame Antwi-Boasiako1, Louvenia Carter-Dawson2, Ronald Harwerth2
1New England College of Optometry, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|January 4, 2021
Summary
Glaucoma detection may improve by using smaller visual stimuli in perimetry. This study found that smaller stimuli better correlate retinal ganglion cell counts with visual field loss, enhancing early neuropathy diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Glaucoma causes progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), leading to decreased visual sensitivity, particularly in the macula.
- The correlation between structural measures (GCIPL thickness) and functional deficits (visual sensitivity) in glaucoma is often modest.
- Current perimetry methods may use stimulus sizes that exceed spatial summation, potentially obscuring early functional changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived inner plexiform layer (IPL) thickness and RGC density.
- To determine the optimal stimulus size for perimetry to accurately assess visual sensitivity in relation to RGC loss.
- To refine the understanding of structure-function relationships in glaucoma across different stages of neuropathy.
Main Methods:
- Correlated OCT-derived GCIPL thickness with RGC counts from retinal flat mounts in nonhuman primates.
- Established normative perimetric data using various Goldmann stimulus sizes (I-V) in healthy and glaucomatous eyes.
- Analyzed the relationship between GCIPL volume, stimulus size, and differential light sensitivity.
Main Results:
- Peak inner retinal cell density was approximately 63,052 cells/mm² in healthy eyes.
- Cell density showed a significant correlation with GCIPL thickness and retinal eccentricity (R² = 0.74, P < .01).
- For 10-2 perimetry, stimulus size III exceeded the estimated critical area (approx. 156 RGCs) at various eccentricities.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between GCIPL thickness and cell density is influenced by retinal eccentricity.
- Smaller perimetric stimuli (size II or smaller) may be more effective for detecting early glaucomatous visual field loss.
- Optimizing stimulus size in perimetry can improve the detection of neuropathy by better aligning structural and functional measures.
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