Comparison of Vascular Density and Structural Patterns Between Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and Primary Angle Closure...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma Research
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) are distinct types with different pathophysiologies.
• Understanding structural and vascular differences is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare vascular density and structural damage in POAG versus PACG.
• To investigate these patterns in the optic nerve head, circumpapillary, and macular regions.
• To utilize optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) for detailed analysis.

Main Methods:

• 131 eyes from 82 patients (53 PACG, 78 POAG) were analyzed.
• Ophthalmic examination, Bruch membrane opening minimum rim width, circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL), and macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) were measured.
• Peripapillary and macular vascular densities were assessed using OCT and OCTA, with statistical analysis via linear mixed models.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in age or visual field mean deviation between POAG and PACG groups.
• cpRNFL and GCC showed no significant differences, except for the nasal segment of cpRNFL.
• Peripapillary and macular vessel densities were comparable between the two glaucoma types.

Conclusions:

• Eyes with PACG and POAG exhibit similar structural damage patterns.
• Comparable inner macular thickness and peripapillary vessel density were observed in both groups.
• These findings suggest similar damage patterns despite different glaucoma mechanisms when visual field damage is comparable.