Peripapillary vessel density correlates with visual field mean sensitivity in highly myopic eyes

Abstract

Purpose To identify the global and regional distribution of peripapillary vessel density (pVD) and try to find out the relationships between pVD and the visual field mean sensitivity (VFMS) in healthy myopic eyes. Design Prospective cross-sectional study. Methods Two hundred and twenty-two participants (393 eyes) with myopia (myopic refractive error < − 0.5 diopters) from two clinical centers were recruited in this study and were divided into 4 groups according to the spherical equivalent (SE): Group1:− 0.5D ≥ SE > − 6.00D, Group2: − 6.00D ≥ SE > − 8.00D, Group3:− 8.00D ≥ SE > − 10.00D, Group4:SE ≤ -10.00D.The pVD assessed with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was quantified in 8 sectors. Peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) imaging was performed with SD-OCT. Visual field (VF) tests were performed with the 30-2 SITA standard program on the Humphrey 750i Visual Field Analyzer and were grouped into 8 regions that matched the structure. Results The pRNFL had no significant difference in all groups (p = 0.422). The average pVD were significantly lower in group 4 (47.61 ± 6.58) than in group 2 and 3 (51.49 ± 3.21, 50.48 ± 3.43 respectively) (p < 0.05). While both pVD in group2 and 3 were statistically lower than group1 (52.77 ± 2.86). The average VFMS was significantly lower in group 4 (901.85 ± 386.54) than other three groups (1169.15 ± 328.94, 1081.77 ± 338.83, 1076.89 ± 358.18, for group1,2,3 respectively). The pVD and VFMS were positively correlated in group3 (r = 0.184) and group4 (r = 0.476) (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that VFMS were positively associated with pVD especially in temporal and nasal quadrants in myopic eyes. Conclusions The pVD shows a significant positive correlation with VFMS in highly myopic eyes with SE ≤ − 8.00D. We suggest that pVD measurement by OCTA could be a sensitive and useful method for monitoring myopic functional change.

Analysis of the relationship of axial length, optic disc morphology, and regional variations in retinal vessel density in young adults with healthy eyes

“…Despite a signi cant spatial correlation between decreased retinal vessel density and decreased visual eld sensitivity, [30] the fovea was still slightly inferior to the disc center in an eye with a rotated disc, which means the spatial relationship between the optic disc and the fovea remains. [19] Hence, the decrease in the superior DVD and the increase in the temporal DVD caused by the optic disc rotation may mainly be attributed to the redistribution of retinal vessels.…”

“…There is a signi cant spatial correlation between decreased retinal vessel density and decreased visual eld sensitivity in myopic subjects. [30] Both elevated IOP and parapapillary hemodynamic disorder were associated with glaucoma. [31] In the current research, we found that the inferior rotation group had a higher IOP than the superior rotation group.…”

Influence of Refractive Error on Circumpapillary Structure–Function Versus Vessel Density–Function Relationships in Open Angle Glaucoma

“…Its correlation with the spatially corresponding VF parameters is strong, and in some investigations, it was found stronger than that of the corresponding sector or global cpRNFLT 17–26 . This effect is particularly important in high myopia 12,27,28 . However, these are predominantly the findings of studies conducted on White Europeans and African American populations, while information on cpRNFLT-function and cpVD-function relationships of Japanese population with OAG eyes is limited 29–31 .…”

“…However, both approaches have pros and cons; therefore, their combined use and evaluation are recommended 2–5 . Of the structural measures, circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (cpRNFLT), a highly reproducible parameter that suffers from floor effect in advanced glaucoma, 6–9 is considered less useful in eyes with both glaucoma and myopia due to myopia-related RNFL thinning and peripapillary atrophy 10–12 …”

“…In the Tajimi study, high myopia was found in 8.2% of the participants; 36 therefore, any myopia-independent OCT/OCT angiography parameter is of particular clinical importance in this population. The relationship was recently investigated on a Chinese population using the AngioVue OCT angiography system (Optovue Inc.) and the 30-degree VF area, 12 and on a Japanese glaucoma population using the Cirrus AngioPlex OCT system (Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc.) and the 24-degree VF 31 . The 24-degree VF, however, provides less information on the global VF damage than the 30-degree test area, which may gain clinical importance in primary OAG (POAG) where early VF deterioration is frequently more peripheral than in normal tension glaucoma (NTG).…”