Abstract

To evaluate and correlate the optic nerve head (ONH), retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and ganglion cell complex (GCC) by using OCT in Primary open angle glaucoma, glaucoma suspects and control group. Methods This was a prospective, non- randomized hospital based case control study which includes 90 patients who attended department of ophthalmology OPD, NRIIMS, Visakhapatnam. Among these subjects, 30 patients were diagnosed with POAG (primary open angle glaucoma), 30 patients were considered as glaucoma suspects and 30 control group patients were evaluated over a period of 18 months from January 2022 to June 2023 after obtaining clearance from institutional ethics committee and written informed consent from the study participants. Result The average age of POAG was 58.43±9.34, in glaucoma suspects was 55.43±8.89 and control group in this study was 54.37±9.06. In POAG, 40.0% were females and 60.0% were males. In Glaucoma suspects, 46.7% were females and 53.3% were males. Control group includes 50.0% females and 50.0% males. The optic disc parameters like cup area, rim area, C: D ratio between Control group, Suspect group and POAG group were statistically significant. The RNFL thickness in all quadrants and average RNFL thickness between Control group, Suspect group and POAG group were statistically significant. The GCC (Ganglion cell complex) which includes GCL++ and GCL+ between Control group, Suspect group and POAG were statistically significant. In Control group, the Optic nerve head and RNFL thickness was moderately correlated. In Suspects, the Optic nerve head and RNFL thickness shows small correlation. In POAG, the Optic nerve head and RNFL thickness shows moderate correlation. The correlation of GCL++ with Optic disc parameters, RNFL thickness in Control group, Suspect group and POAG were not statistically significant. Conclusion This study concludes that OCT can serve as a useful guideline in diagnosis, management, prognostication and research in glaucoma. Ganglion cell complex (GCC) is a promising factor to detect early structural changes in glaucoma suspects and to monitor the progression.

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