OCT Angiography of the Peripapillary Retina in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the topographic relationship between the decreased parapapillary retinal microvasculature as assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defect in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and a localized RNFL defect. Methods: The peripapillary retinal circulation was evaluated using the OCTA centered on the optic nerve head in 98 POAG eyes having a localized RNFL defect and 45 healthy control eyes. A vascular impairment (VI) was identified in OCTA by the presence of a sign indicating decreased microvasculature. The frequencies of VI were compared between the POAG and control groups, and the topographic correlation between the VI and the RNFL defect identified in red-free fundus photographs was determined in the POAG group. Results: The VI was observed as an area of decreased density of the microvascular network of the retina in 100% of the POAG eyes. The VI exactly coincided with the RNFL defect evident in red-free fundus photographs in terms of both the location and extent (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.997 and 0.988, respectively, all P < 0.001). None of the control eyes exhibited VI in OCTA. Conclusions: Decreased parapapillary microvasculature of the retina determined by OCTA was found at the location of RNFL defect in POAG patients. This finding suggests that the decreased retinal microvasculature is likely secondary loss or closure of capillaries at the area of glaucomatous RNFL atrophy.