Features Associated with Visible Lamina Cribrosa Pores in Individuals of African Ancestry with Glaucoma: Primary Open-Angle African Ancestry Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) Study

Abstract

There are scarce data regarding the rate of the occurrence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and visible lamina cribrosa pores (LCPs) in the eyes of individuals with African ancestry; the potential impact of these features on disease burden remains unknown. We recruited subjects with POAG to the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) study. Through regression models, we evaluated the association between the presence of LCPs and various phenotypic features. In a multivariable analysis of 1187 glaucomatous eyes, LCPs were found to be more likely to be present in eyes with cup-to-disc ratios (CDR) of ≥0.9 (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 1.11, 95%CI: 1.04–1.19, p = 0.005), eyes with cylindrical-shaped (aRR 1.22, 95%CI: 1.11–1.33) and bean pot (aRR 1.24, 95%CI: 1.13–1.36) cups versus conical cups (p p = 0.01), and the nasalization of central retinal vessels (aRR 1.33, 95%CI: 1.23–1.44), p p = 0.005 for per 0.1 increase in q0). Our large cohort of POAG cases of people with African ancestry showed that LCPs may be an important risk factor in identifying severe disease, potentially warranting closer monitoring by physicians.

Keywords

• lamina cribrosa pores
• primary open-angle glaucoma
• African ancestry
• stereo optic disc images