Comparison of visual field and swept-source optical coherence tomography probability maps in various stages of...

The goal of this study was to assess the agreement between visual field (VF) and probability maps generated from swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) in various stages of glaucoma.

This cross-sectional study included patients who underwent VF testing and SS-OCT at the same visit. Patients were classified into early, moderate, and advanced glaucoma according to the Hodapp-Parrish-Anderson criteria. The VF pattern deviation maps were partitioned into 10 defined areas, while the probability maps were divided into 6 defined areas. Areas exhibiting significant defects on the probability map were compared with the corresponding VF defect areas. The agreement between VF and the probability map results was assessed.

In early glaucoma, moderate agreement was found between the peripapillary defect on the probability map and the nasal step defect on the VF in both hemifields. As the glaucoma stage progressed, the number of areas showing agreement and the level of agreement between the areas increased. In moderate glaucoma patients, the areas of agreement in both hemifields correspond to the arcuate scotoma pattern. In advanced glaucoma, the probability map and VF showed substantial and almost perfect agreement between many areas corresponding to the ring scotoma pattern.

In early, moderate, and advanced glaucoma, a significant agreement was found between the defects on the VF and on the probability map. These findings suggest that probability maps may serve as a promising complementary tool in the assessment of patients with glaucoma and in supporting the evaluation of disease progression, particularly in cases where reliable VFs cannot be obtained.