Structure-Functional Parameters in Differentiating Between Patients With Different Degrees of Glaucoma

Purpose: We evaluated spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) parameters and visual field parameters in patients with different degrees of open-angle glaucoma (preperimetric, mild, moderate, and severe glaucoma) to determine which parameter best identifies each glaucomatous group. Materials and Methods: A total of 131 patients (66 preperimetric, 41 mild, 35 moderate, 40 severe glaucomatous eyes) and 40 normal eyes (control group) were included in this prospective study. The SD-OCT parameters [mean ganglion cell complex (GCC), superior GCC, inferior GCC, global loss volume, focal loss volume, mean circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), superior circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer [cpRNFL], and inferior cpRNFL] and visual field parameters (mean deviation and pattern SD) were evaluated. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was calculated for each parameter to determine which best identified glaucomatous changes. Results: Of the SD-OCT parameters, inferior (AUROC, 0.792) and mean GCC thickness (AUROC, 0.741) best discriminated between normal eyes and preperimetric glaucoma eyes. Conclusions: GCC measurements were more efficient than cpRNFL measurements in detecting preperimetric glaucomatous damage. This finding could be an aid to an early diagnosis.