Optic Disc Vascular Density in Normal-Tension Glaucoma Eyes with or without Branch Retinal Vessel Occlusion

Abstract

We analyzed the vascular densities (VDs) of the optic disc areas in eyes with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) according to their branch retinal vessel occlusion (BRVO) status. The VDs of the optic discs and peripapillary areas of 68 NTG patients with BRVO (BRVO group; BRVO eyes and fellow eyes) and 37 patients with NTG alone (control eyes) were measured on angiographic images obtained via swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography. VDs were compared among groups and correlations were assessed. The VD of the optic disc large vessel was the highest in BRVO eyes, followed by the fellow eyes and controls (all P < 0.05). Conversely, small and medium vessel VD was in the opposite order (all P < 0.05). Large vessel VD was negatively correlated with small and medium vessel VD (r = −0.697, P < 0.001). Peripapillary VD was lower in the BRVO eyes than in the control and fellow eyes (P < 0.001 and P = 0.861, respectively). In conclusion, significant changes in the distribution of VDs for optic disc larger vessel and small and medium vessels were observed in both eyes of NTG patients with BRVO, compared to NTG patients without BRVO.