Association of Superficial and Deep Macular Microvasculature with Central Visual Field sensitivity in Glaucomatous Eyes with High Myopia

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between two distinct layers of macular vessel density (superficial vascular plexus (SVP) and deep vascular plexus (DVP)) and central visual field sensitivity (cVFS) in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) eyes with high myopia.

Method: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 148 OAG eyes (64 highly myopic (HMG) and 84 non-highly myopic glaucomas (NMG)) as well as 54 healthy eyes. High myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent of less than -6.0 diopters or an axial length of ≥26.0 mm. The global and sectoral SVP-cVFS and DVP-cVFS relationships were compared in each group. Macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness (mGCIPLT)-cVFS relationships were also investigated as reference standards. Linear regression analysis was performed to identify the clinical factors associated with cVFS.

Results: DVP-cVFS correlations were as strong as those for SVP-cVFS and mGCIPLT-cVFS in HMG eyes. In contrast, DVP-cVFS correlations were significantly lower than SVP-cVFS and mGCILT-cVFS correlations in NMG eyes. In linear regression analysis, both SVP and DVP were significantly associated with cVFS in HMG eyes, but only SVP showed a significant correlation with cVFS in NMG eyes.

Conclusion: DVP assessment using OCT-A may be a useful tool for detecting and monitoring OAG eyes with high myopia.