Macular vascular microcirculation in the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer detected by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA): structure-function analysis

Abstract

Purpose : Purpose: To investigate the relationships between global and sectoral visual field (VF) central mean sensitivity (CMS) assessed by standard automated perimetry, and global and sectoral macula vascular microcirculation parameters in the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) assessed by optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCTA), in eyes with glaucoma.

Methods : Patients and Methods: Fifty-four eyes with open angle glaucoma were scanned using a swept-source OCTA (Plex Elite 9000, Zeiss, Dublin, CA) and macular vascular microcirculation was measured by calculating the overall flux and vessel area density (VAD) over the entire 6mm x 6mm area excluding large retinal vessels. Central 10-degree VFCMS was calculated based on 24-2 VF. Pearson correlation was used to investigate the correlation between global and sectoral OCTA parameters and global and sectoral VFCMS adapted from the structure–function correspondence map suggested by Garway-Heath et al.¹ (Figure 1, Garway-Heath et al. Ophthalmology. 2000; 107: 1809–1815)

Results : Results: Both global GCIPL flux and VAD were significantly correlated with VFCMS (p<0.001) (Table 1). For the sectoral analysis, sectoral VAD was significantly correlated with sectoral VFCMS in all comparisons except for the inferonasal (IN) VFCMS vs supratemporal (ST) GCIPL VAD (p=0.097). The strongest correlation was observed for both ST VFCMS vs inferior (I) GCIPL VAD and infero-temporal (IT) VFCMS vs superior (S) GCIPL VAD (r=0.683, p<0.001).

Conclusions : Conclusions: Global and sectoral macula vascular microcirculation in the GCIPL, as determined by OCTA, was significantly correlated with global and sectoral VFCMS in glaucomatous patients. OCTA can aid in the understanding of the structure–function relationships of the macular region.

This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.

 

Figure 1. Representation of cluster of central 12 points on 24-2 Humphrey visual field (CMS – central mean sensitivity) (A) and corresponding sectors on macular scans (B, C). SN=super-nasal, IN-infero-nasal, ST=supero-temporal, IT=infero-temporal, I=inferior, S=superior

 

Table 1. Pearson correlation between global and sectoral visual field sensitivities and global and sectoral OCTA parameters for the glaucoma patients (N=54)