Adjusting Circumpapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Profile Using Retinal Artery Position Improves the Structure–Function Relationship in Glaucoma

• Published in: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science Vol. 57; no. 7; pp. 3152 - 3158
• Main Authors: Fujino, Yuri, Yamashita, Takehiro, Murata, Hiroshi, Asaoka, Ryo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.2016
• Subjects: Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glaucoma, Open-Angle - diagnosis; Glaucoma, Open-Angle - physiopathology; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Male; Middle Aged; Nerve Fibers - pathology; Optic Disk - diagnostic imaging; Retinal Artery - diagnostic imaging; Retinal Ganglion Cells - pathology; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, Optical Coherence - methods; Visual Fields
• ISSN: 1552-5783; 1552-5783
• DOI: 10.1167/iovs.16-19461

To investigate whether correcting the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) thickness profile, using retinal artery position and papillomacular bundle tilt, can improve the structure-function relationship in glaucoma patients. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and visual field measurements were conducted in 142 eyes of 90 subjects with open angle glaucoma. The SD-OCT cpRNFL thickness profile was corrected for retinal artery position and/or papillomacular tilt in all twelve 30° sectors of the optic disc, and the structure-function relationship against corresponding 30° sectorial retinal sensitivity was investigated by using linear mixed model. Applying a correction to the cpRNFL thickness profile for retinal artery position resulted in a stronger structure-function relationship in all 12 sectors of the optic disc. Furthermore, applying a further adjustment for papillomacular tilt resulted in a further improvement in 9 of 12 sectors. Correcting cpRNFL profile, using the retinal artery position significantly strengthened the structure-function relationship. In most optic disc sectors, using the papillomacular bundle tilt improved cpRNFL thickness measurements.