Baseline Choroidal Microvasculature Dropout as a Predictor of Subsequent Visual Field Progression in Open-angle Glaucoma

PRECIS Choroidal microvasculature dropout (CMvD) is an independent predictor for overall and central visual field (VF) progression in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) eyes. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of CMvD identified by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) at baseline on subsequent VF progression in eyes with OAG. METHODS This retrospective observational study included 80 OAG eyes with CMvD [CMvD(+)] and without CMvD [(CMvD(-)] at baseline [40 of each matched for both age (10 y and below) and baseline VF severity (≤1 dB)]. The patients were followed regularly at 6-month intervals. VF progression was defined according to the Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial criteria. Associations of overall VF progression with baseline clinical factors, including the presence of CMvD and other variables, were analyzed by logistic regression with a generalized estimating equation in the entire OAG cohort. Linear mixed models were used to determine the differences in visual field mean sensitivity (VFMS) between the CMvD(+) and CMvD(-) groups globally and regionally at each follow-up point. RESULTS During a mean follow-up of 35.91±2.51 months, a significant difference was evident in the VF progression rate between the CMvD(-) and CMvD(+) groups (22.5% vs. 70%, P