THE RESULTS OF PERIPAPILLARY CHOROIDAL ANGIOGRAPHY IN GLAUCOMA

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 t he prelaminar part of the optic nerve head lead to cavernous degenerat ion of the optic disc and constriction of the peripheral visual field area. In this study, peripapillary choroidal vascular structures and t heir 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 ar ea in the inferior temporal region in 6, peripapillary atrophy in 4, i nferior temporal ischemic area in 2, a nasal peripapillary choroidal i schemic in 2, and no changes in 6. Ciliary circulation plays an import ant role on the pathogenesis of visual field defects; however, differe nt etiologic factors in the degeneration of nerve fiber bundles should be considered when some patients have no changes in angiographic stud ies.