Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 16, 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
1.9K
Relationship Between Macular Microvasculature and Visual Acuity in Advanced and Severe Glaucoma
Yun Hsia1, Tsing-Hong Wang2, Jehn-Yu Huang2
1National Taiwan University Hospital, Jin-Shan Branch, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (Y.H., T.-H.W., J.-Y.H., C.-C.S.);; College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan (T.-H.W., J.-Y.H., C.-C.S.).
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|October 15, 2021
Summary
Macular vessel density correlates with visual acuity in advanced glaucoma patients. Deep macular vessel density, particularly in the nasal grid, shows promise for assessing severe glaucoma.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Glaucoma Research
- Optical Coherence Tomography
Background:
- Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
- Assessing structural parameters is crucial for understanding visual acuity (VA) loss in advanced glaucoma.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and angiography provide detailed structural information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between ocular structural parameters and visual acuity (VA) in patients with advanced glaucoma.
- To identify specific structural markers that correlate with VA in different stages of glaucoma.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, cross-sectional study included 238 eyes from 238 patients with advanced or severe glaucoma.
- Structural parameters were assessed using RTVue optical coherence tomography and angiography.
- Pearson and partial correlations, along with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, were employed to evaluate correlations with VA.
Main Results:
- In advanced glaucoma, superficial and deep macular vessel densities (VDs) demonstrated the strongest correlation with VA (r = -0.47, P < .001).
- Superficial parafoveal/macular VDs had an area under the ROC curve of 0.816 for detecting decreased VA.
- In severe glaucoma, deep nasal grid VD showed the highest correlation with VA (r = -0.35, P < .001).
Conclusions:
- Macular vessel density is a significant correlate of visual acuity in advanced glaucoma.
- Deep macular VD, especially the nasal grid region, may serve as a valuable structural parameter for evaluating severe glaucoma.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
973
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...
973
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
752
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...
752
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
889
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
889
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
6.8K
At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...
6.8K