Celso Tello

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between foveal avascular zone (FAZ) enlargement, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dysfunction, and structural retinal measurements in glaucoma suspects (GS), using pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters. Methods: Thirty-one eyes (20 subjects) of GS status underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation including steady-state PERG, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCTA. FAZ area was measured using ImageJ software (version 1.54p), and PERG parameters (Magnitude, MagnitudeD, and MagnitudeD/Magnitude ratio) were analyzed. Partial correlation analyses were performed to assess associations between FAZ area, PERG parameters, and structural metrics including retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer–inner plexiform layer (GCL + IPL), and macular thickness. Results: After controlling for age, sex, central corneal thickness (CCT), intraocular pressure (IOP), and spherical equivalent, partial correlation analysis showed that FAZ area was significantly associated with both lower Magnitude (r < −0.503, p < 0.05) and MagnitudeD (r < −0.507, p < 0.05) values. PERG parameters were significantly correlated with superior and average RNFL thickness, as well as superior and superior temporal GCL + IPL thickness. FAZ area was significantly associated with multiple GCL + IPL and macular thickness sectors, but not with RNFL thickness. Conclusions: FAZ enlargement is significantly associated with RGC dysfunction and inner retinal layer thinning in GS.

Background/Objectives: The early detection of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dysfunction is critical for timely intervention in glaucoma suspects (GSs). The combined structure–function index (CSFI), which uses visual field and optical coherence tomography (OCT) data to estimate RGC counts, may be of limited utility in GSs. This study evaluates whether steady-state pattern electroretinogram (ssPERG)-derived estimates better predict early structural changes in GSs. Methods: Fifty eyes from 25 glaucoma suspects underwent ssPERG and spectral-domain OCT. Estimated RGC counts (eRGCC) were calculated using three parameters: ssPERG-Magnitude (eRGCC_Mag), ssPERG-MagnitudeD (eRGCC_MagD), and CSFI (eRGCC_CSFI). Linear regression and multivariable models were used to assess each model’s ability to predict the average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (AvRNFLT), average ganglion cell layer–inner plexiform layer thickness (AvGCL-IPLT), and rim area. Results: eRGCC_Mag and eRGCC_MagD were significantly correlated with eRGCC_CSFI. Both PERG-derived models outperformed eRGCC_CSFI in predicting AvRNFLT and AvGCL-IPLT, with eRGCC_MagD showing the strongest association with AvGCL-IPLT. Conversely, the rim area was best predicted by eRGCC_Mag and eRGCC_CSFI. These findings support a linear relationship between ssPERG parameters and early RGC structural changes, while the logarithmic nature of visual field loss may limit eRGCC_CSFI’s predictive accuracy in GSs. Conclusions: ssPERG-derived estimates, particularly eRGCC_MagD, better predict early structural changes in GSs than eRGCC_CSFI. eRGCC_MagD’s superior performance in predicting GCL-IPLT highlights its potential utility as an early biomarker of glaucomatous damage. ssPERG-based models offer a simpler and more sensitive tool for early glaucoma risk stratification, and may provide a clinical benchmark for tracking recoverable RGC dysfunction and treatment response.

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA)-based retinal vessel diameter (RVD) measurements, with retinal ganglion cell (RGC) function assessed by means of steady-state pattern electroretinography (ssPERG) using ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer thickness (GCL-IPLT) measurements and with Humphrey field analyzer (HFA) global indices in glaucoma suspects (GSs). Methods: Thirty-one eyes (20 participants) underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, ssPERG measurements utilizing the PERGLA paradigm, HFA, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCTA. The OCTA scans were processed using ImageJ software, Version 1.53, allowing for measurement of the RVD. Multiple linear regression models were used. Results: After controlling for age, race, central corneal thickness (CCT), and spherical equivalent (SE), a linear regression analysis found that the RVD explained the 4.7% variance in magnitude (Mag) (p = 0.169), 9.2% variance in magnitudeD (MagD) (p = 0.021), and 16.9% variance in magnitudeD/magnitude (p = 0.009). After controlling for age, CCT, and signal strength (SS), a linear regression analysis found that the RVD was significantly associated with the GCL-IPLT measurements (average GCL-IPL, minimum GCL-IPL, superior, superonasal, inferior, and inferonasal sectors) (p ≤ 0.023). An identical regression analysis where the RVD was replaced with the PERG parameters showed a significant association between the MagD and almost all GCI-IPLT measurements. RVD measurements were significantly associated with HFA VFI 24-2 (p = 0.004), MD 24-2 (p < 0.001), and PSD 24-2 (p = 0.009). Conclusions: Decreased RVD measurements were significantly associated with RGC dysfunction, decreased GCL-IPLT, and all HFA global indices in the GSs.