Choroidal Thickness in the Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Evaluation of the Association with Visual Field Damage: Case Control Study

ABS TRACT Objective: To measure the macular and peripapillary choroidal thickness in the primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and to investigate the association between the visual field loss and choroi- dal thickness. Material and Methods: The study enrolled 90 eyes of 50 patients diagnosed with POAG, and 30 eyes of 19 patients as the control group (Group 0). Patients with POAG were divided into 3 groups as mild (Group 1), moderate (Group 2), and severe (Group 3) ac- cording to Hodapp, Anderson, Parrish criteria and 30 eyes were included in each group. The macular and peripapillary choroidal thick- nesses were compared between the groups through enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optic coherence tomography. Visual fields were measured by automated perimetry. Results: The peripapillary choroidal thickness in Group 3 with severe glaucomatous injury was significantly thinner when compared with the control group at all peripapillary locations except nasal location. Furthermore, the peripapil- lary choroidal thickness in Group 3 was significantly thinner than Group 1 at the mean, temporal, superior, superonasal, and inferonasal locations. Macular choroidal thickness did not differ between the groups. The age was inversely correlated with macular and peripapillary choroidal thickness. Conclusion: The peripapillary choroidal thickness was thinner in eyes with severe glaucomatous damage compared to nor- mal and mildly glaucomatous damaged eyes. Treatments that support choroidal circulation may be beneficial in cases with severe POAG.