Foveal Avascular Zone Enlargement as a Risk Factor for Early Retinal Ganglion Cell Dysfunction in Glaucoma Suspects

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Imaging
• Glaucoma Research

Background:

• Glaucoma suspects (GS) require early detection of retinal damage.
• Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) enlargement and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dysfunction are potential early indicators.
• Assessing the relationship between FAZ, RGC function, and retinal structure is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between FAZ enlargement, RGC dysfunction, and structural retinal measurements in glaucoma suspects.
• To utilize pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) for this evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-one eyes of glaucoma suspects underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation.
• Included steady-state PERG, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCTA.
• FAZ area, PERG parameters, and structural metrics (RNFL, GCL+IPL, macular thickness) were analyzed using partial correlation.

Main Results:

• FAZ area was significantly associated with lower PERG Magnitude and MagnitudeD values.
• PERG parameters correlated with RNFL and GCL+IPL thickness.
• FAZ area showed significant associations with GCL+IPL and macular thickness sectors, but not RNFL thickness.

Conclusions:

• FAZ enlargement is significantly associated with RGC dysfunction in glaucoma suspects.
• FAZ enlargement correlates with inner retinal layer thinning.
• Combined PERG and OCTA parameters offer insights into early glaucomatous changes.