Comparative Study of Lamina Cribrosa Thickness Between Primary Angle-Closure and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma Research
• Anatomy

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• Lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) is a potential indicator of glaucomatous damage.
• Primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) represent distinct forms of the disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) between PACG and POAG.
• To investigate the relationship between LCT, intraocular pressure (IOP), and visual field parameters.

Main Methods:

• A comparative cross-sectional study involving 34 PACG patients, 38 POAG patients, and 62 controls.
• Lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) was measured using enhanced depth-imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).
• Nine points of LCT were measured, and averages were analyzed.

Main Results:

• PACG eyes exhibited significantly thinner LCT (226.99 μm) compared to POAG (257.17 μm) and control groups (290.75 μm).
• Maximum intraocular pressure (IOP) was higher in PACG than POAG.
• LCT was inversely correlated with maximum IOP (r = -0.592) and positively with visual field mean deviation (r = 0.347).

Conclusions:

• Glaucomatous eyes demonstrate thinner LCT than healthy controls.
• Higher maximum IOP is associated with thinner LCT, suggesting a pressure-dependent deformation mechanism.
• PACG eyes present with thinner LCT and higher maximum IOP compared to POAG eyes.