Correlation between peripapillary choroidal thickness and nerve fiber layer thickness in primary open-angle glaucoma

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the peripapillary choroidal thickness (PPCT) and its correlation with nerve fiber layer thickness (NFLT) in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Patients and methods Eighty eyes were included in this study. They were divided into two groups: group I (38 eyes) of normal individuals and group II (42 eyes) with POAG. All eyes underwent complete ophthalmic examination with visual field testing using Humphery visual field analyzer. NFLT was measured in all eyes using Heidelberg Spectralis-optical coherence tomography with a circle of 3.4-mm diameter around the optic disc. PPCT was measured using enhanced deep imaging (EDI) technique of Heidelberg Spectralis-optical coherence tomography. Results The mean age was 51.74±4.27 years in group I and 53.7±3.7 years in group II. Global NFLT in group I was 103.6±6.3 μm and in group II it was 76.9±8.5 μm with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.001). The global PPCT was 175.1±8.4 and 129.5±10.1 μm in group I and II, respectively, with a significant difference (P<0.001). The correlation between PPCT and NFLT in group I was 0.84 (P<0.001) and in group II it was 0.9 (P<0.001). Conclusion The PPCT was decreased in eyes with POAG, and there was a significant correlation between it and NFLT in these eyes.

Keywords

• choroidal thickness
• enhanced deep imaging
• nerve fiber layer thickness
• optical coherence tomography
• open-angle glaucoma