Evaluation of macular vessel density among patients with glaucoma, ocular hypertension, and normal participants

Purpose To assess macular vessel density (VD) in open-angle glaucoma (OAG), normal tension glaucoma (NTG), ocular hypertension (OHT), and normal participants by using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Setting and design This observational case-control study was conducted at Menoufia University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology. Patients and methods Patients who received OCTA were already diagnosed with glaucoma and were divided into four groups: OAG group, NTG group, OHT group, and normal participants' group. The ophthalmic parameters, which include best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, visual field mean deviation, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and ganglion cell complex thickness, were recorded. About the macula, the superficial VD, deep VD, and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were evaluated via OCTA and analyzed by utilizing the default VD analysis program in the same OCTA. Results This study was conducted on 152 eyes, 38 eyes with OAG, 38 eyes with NTG, 38 eyes with OHT, and 38 normal participant eyes. Significant decrease in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and ganglion cell complex thickness were noticed in OAG and normal tension groups cases. The OAG and NTG groups revealed a reduction in superficial VD and a reduction in deep VD compared to the OHT and the controls. No difference in the FAZ was noticed among all the studied groups. Conclusion Impaired macular circulation was demonstrated in the OAG and NTG patients compared to OHT patients and normal participants. No difference in FAZ among the glaucoma cases and normal individuals. Keywords: deep vessel density, foveal avascular zone, ganglion cell complex, macular perfusion, retinal nerve fiber layer, superficial vessel density, vessel density