Correlation of Macular Ganglion Cell Layer + Inner Plexiform Layer (GCL + IPL) and Circumpapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (cRNFL) Thickness in Glaucoma Suspects and Glaucomatous Eyes.

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to correlate macular ganglion cell layer + inner plexiform layer (GCL + IPL) thickness and circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cRNFL) thickness and to determine the validity of GCL + IPL in the evaluation of glaucoma across different stages using the area under the curve (AUC) analysis in comparison to cRNFL.

Patients and methods: The charts of 260 adult glaucoma suspect and glaucoma patients having macular ganglion cell analysis, optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the cRNFL and automated visual field (AVF) were reviewed. GCL + IPL thickness (average, minimum and sectoral) and sectoral cRNFL thickness were obtained. Glaucomatous eyes were further classified into stages based on the Hodapp-Anderson-Parrish Visual Field Criteria of Glaucoma Severity. AUC analysis was used to compare GCL + IPL parameters with cRNFL in glaucoma suspects and glaucoma patients.

Results: A total of 122 eyes were included in the study and were grouped into glaucoma suspects (n = 43), early or mild glaucoma (n = 40), and moderate-to-severe glaucoma (n = 39). Both GCL + IPL and cRNFL thickness parameters showed a significant decline with greater glaucoma severity. In the determination of visual field defects across all glaucoma stages, the highest AUC was obtained by minimum GCL + IPL (AUC = 0.859) with cut-off value at ≤70 µm. Average GCL + IPL had the highest AUC (0.835) in detecting progression from glaucoma suspect to mild glaucoma, while the inferior sector of the cRNFL had the highest AUC (0.937) in discerning mild from moderate-to-severe glaucoma.

Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the significance of macular ganglion cell analysis in the screening, detection and staging of glaucoma. Compared to cRNFL, macular ganglion analysis may be more beneficial in glaucoma screening and detecting progression from glaucoma suspect to mild glaucoma.