The results of peripapillary choroidal angiography in glaucoma

Abstract

Neurogenic and vasogenic factors are responsible for the pathogenesis of visual field defects caused by the nerve fiber bundle degeneration in glaucoma. In particular, the ischemic changes of blood vessels in the prelaminar part of the optic nerve head lead to cavernous degeneration of the optic disc and constriction of the peripheral visual field area. In this study, peripapillary choroidal vascular structures and their vascular distribution on the head of the optic disc were examined in 20 patients who had cupping and visual fields defects in glaucoma, including peripapillary choroidal atrophy and a choroidal ischemic area in the inferior temporal region in 6, peripapillary atrophy in 4, inferior temporal ischemic area in 2, a nasal peripapillary choroidal ischemic in 2, and no changes in 6. Ciliary circulation plays an important role on the pathogenesis of visual field defects; however, different etiologic factors in the degeneration of nerve fiber bundles should be considered when some patients have no changes in angiographic studies.