Effects of Optic Nerve Head Structures on Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Defects in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Eyes:...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma Research
• Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging

Background:

• Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• Early detection of glaucomatous damage is crucial for timely intervention.
• Retinal nerve fiber layer defects (RNFLDs) are key indicators of glaucomatous neuropathy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between optic nerve head (ONH) structures and RNFLDs detected by retinal nerve fiber layer optical texture analysis (ROTA) in POAG.
• To identify structural factors correlating with the extent of axonal damage in POAG eyes.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study of 136 eyes from 109 POAG patients.
• Comprehensive ophthalmologic exams including standard automated perimetry and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).
• ROTA image analysis for RNFLD presence, location, and width; multivariable linear mixed-effect models used for association analysis.

Main Results:

• ROTA detected RNFLDs in 86.8% of POAG eyes.
• Summed RNFLD width positively correlated with gamma zone area and negatively with age, cpRNFLT, and VFS_average.
• Number of RNFLDs negatively correlated with age, cpRNFLT, and VFS_average.

Conclusions:

• ROTA-detected axonal damage extent is associated with ONH structural changes, particularly gamma zone area, in POAG.
• ROTA is a valuable tool for quantifying glaucomatous damage.
• Findings highlight the link between ONH morphology and RNFL damage in POAG.