Assessment of Retinal Microcirculation in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Using Adaptive Optics and OCT Angiography: Correlation with Structural and Functional Damage

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate retinal arteriole parameters using adaptive optics (AO) rtx1™ (Imagine Eyes, Orsay, France) and peripapillary and macular vessel densities with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in eyes with different stages of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) compared to healthy eyes. It also investigated the associations between vascular parameters and glaucoma severity, as defined by structural (OCT) and functional (visual field) changes. Methods: Fifty-seven eyes from 31 POAG patients and fifty from 25 healthy volunteers were examined. Retinal arteriole morphology was assessed using the AO rtx1™-fundus camera, which measured lumen diameter, wall thickness, total diameter, wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR), and wall cross-sectional area. OCTA was used to measure vessel densities in superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) capillary plexuses of the macula and radial peripapillary capillary plexus (RPCP) and FAZ area. Structural OCT parameters (RNFL, GCC, rim area) and visual field tests (MD, PSD) were also performed. Results: Glaucoma eyes showed significantly thicker arteriole walls (12.8 ± 1.4 vs. 12.2 ± 1.3 µm; p = 0.030), narrower lumens (85.5 ± 10.4 vs. 100.6 ± 11.1 µm; p < 0.001), smaller total diameters (111.0 ± 10.4 vs. 124.1 ± 12.4 µm; p < 0.001), and higher WLRs (0.301 ± 0.04 vs. 0.238 ± 0.002; p < 0.001) than healthy eyes. In glaucoma patients, OCTA revealed significantly reduced vessel densities in SCP (36.39 ± 3.60 vs. 38.46 ± 1.41; p < 0.001), DCP (36.39 ± 3.60 vs. 38.46 ± 1.41; p < 0.001), and RPCP plexuses (35.42 ± 4.97 vs. 39.27 ± 1.48; p < 0.001). The FAZ area was enlarged in eyes with glaucoma (0.546 ± 0.299 vs. 0.295 ± 0.125 mm²); p < 0.001). Positive correlations were found between vessel densities and OCT parameters (RNFL, r = 0.621; GCC, r = 0.536; rim area, r = 0.489), while negative correlations were observed with visual field deficits (r = -0.517). Conclusions: Vascular deterioration, assessed by AO rtx1™ and OCTA, correlates closely with structural and functional damage in glaucoma. Retinal microcirculation changes may precede structural abnormalities in the optic nerve head. Both imaging methods enable the earlier detection, staging, and monitoring of glaucoma compared to conventional tests.

Keywords: adaptive optics; foveal avascular zone; ganglion cell complex; optical coherence tomography angiography; primary open-angle glaucoma; retinal arteriole morphology; retinal microcirculation; retinal nerve fibre layer; vessel density.

Figure 1

Data processing pipeline for examining each parameter in the retinal microcirculation study in glaucoma. BCVA—best-corrected visual acuity; IOP—intraocular pressure; MD—mean deviation in perimetry; PSD—pattern standard deviation in perimetry; SD-OCT—spectral domain optical coherence tomography; RNFL—retinal nerve fibre layer in SD_OCT; VC/D— vertical cup to disc ratio in OCT; GCC—ganglion cell complex; AO-RTX1—Adaptive Optics Fundus Camera RTX1; TD—total diameter in AO-RTX1; LD—lumen diameter in AO-RTX1; WALL1—first wall thickness in AO-RTX1; WALL2—second wall thickness in AO-RTX1; WLR—wall to lumen ratio in AO-RTX1; WCSA—wall cross-sectional area in AO-RTX1; OCTA—optical coherence tomography angiography; SCP—superficial plexus capillary density; DCP—deep plexus capillary density; ↑—parameter value increase; ↓—parameter value decrease; ➹—positive correlation;➷—negative correlation.