Exploring the Relation Between Peripapillary Retinal Vessel Caliber and Visual Field Defects in Primary Open-Angle...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma Research
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a progressive optic neuropathy involving retinal ganglion cell loss and visual field defects.
• Intraocular pressure and vascular factors are key in POAG pathogenesis.
• This study investigates the link between retinal vessel caliber and visual field abnormalities in POAG patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between peripapillary retinal vessel calibers and visual field defects in POAG.
• To determine if retinal vessel caliber can serve as a diagnostic parameter for POAG severity.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study of 100 eyes from 50 POAG patients with visual field abnormalities.
• Fundus photography was used to measure peripapillary superior and inferior temporal artery and vein diameters.
• Statistical analysis correlated retinal vessel calibers with categorized visual field defect locations.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in superior temporal artery (STA):inferior temporal artery (ITA) and superior temporal vein (STV):inferior temporal vein (ITV) ratios were observed in relation to hemifield defects.
• Superior hemifield defects correlated with a STA:ITA ratio of 1.15 (p=0.001).
• Inferior hemifield defects correlated with a STA:ITA ratio of 0.94 (p=0.04), with pronounced inferotemporal vessel narrowing in bilateral defects.

Conclusions:

• Decreased retinal vessel caliber is significantly associated with visual field defects in POAG.
• Retinal vessel caliber measurement is a potentially valuable tool for assessing glaucomatous damage.
• Vessel caliber assessment may aid in evaluating the progression and severity of POAG.