Correlation of the Intrapapillary Parameters to Visual Field Defects in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

ABSTRACT

The relationship between quantitative structual measurements of the optic nerve head and visual field defects was studied in 150 eyes of 150 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG). The radius and angle of the optic disc and cup were measured every 30 degrees to obtain rim area, rim area to disc area ratio, cup area, and cup to disc ratio with a computer graphic program(Adobe PhotoshopTM) and the photographic magnification was corrected according to Littmann`s method. The visual field indices including mean deviation(MD) and corrected pattern standard deviation(CPSD), using a Humphrey Field Analyzer(C 302) were obtained. Each intrapapillary parameter showed statistically significant linear correlation with MD. And those disc parameters also significantly correlated with CPSD, although this correlation was relatively lower than that of intrapapillary parameter with MD. Rim area to disc area ratio and MD were most highly correlated(r=0.712, p=0.0001), and correlation of rim are with MD followed next(r=0.670, p=0.0001). These findings suggest that intrapapillary parameters in POAG were more correlated with the overall visual field depression(MD) than the localized visual field change(CPSD). The rim area to disc area ratio rather than the rim area itself, was more related to the diffuse visual field defects.