Comparison of macular GCIPL and peripapillary RNFL deviation maps for detection of glaucomatous eye with localized RNFL defect.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the ability of the deviation map of macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness compared with that of peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) thickness for detection of localized RNFL defects shown on red-free RNFL photography.

METHODS

This prospective cross-sectional study included 69 eyes of 69 subjects with preperimetric or perimetric glaucoma (mean deviation (MD) >-12dB) and localized RNFL defects along with 79 eyes of 79 normal control subjects. The number of abnormal superpixels on the both macular GCIPL and pRNFL deviation maps by Cirrus OCT corresponding to localized RNFL defects was calculated using a customized Matlab program and presented as severity indices according to each of the probability levels. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) of the severity indices were compared between the two deviation maps.

RESULTS

According to three criteria and corresponding probability levels, the AUROCs of the GCIPL and pRNFL deviation maps ranged from 0.910 to 0.931 and 0.934 to 0.950, respectively. However, the differences were not statistically significant (all p > 0.05). Significant correlations were observed between the severity indices of the GCIPL deviation map and those of the pRNFL deviation map, regardless of the criteria (all p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In the detection of glaucomatous eyes with localized RNFL defects, the macular GCIPL thickness deviation map showed a level of diagnostic performance comparable to that of the pRNFL thickness deviation map.