Analysis of Macular Microperimetry Characteristics in Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation of macular micro-field characteristics with vision and visual field in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. MATERIAL/METHODS: Retrospective case analysis was performed. Fifty-eight NAION patients with 62 affected eyes were included in the study. In addition, 54 eyes not affected by NAION from 54 patients among the 58 patients were included as controls. All eyes underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) test, slit lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, visual field examination, and microperimetry. BCVA was converted into logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) for statistical analysis. There was no significant difference in age, sex, eye type, or intraocular pressure between the 2 groups. The macular integrity assessment (MAIA) instrument was used for microperimetry. Mean light sensitivity (microMS) in the 10° macular region and the fixation rates for macular fovea 2° and 4° were recorded. Spearman correlation analysis was performed. RESULTS: The microMS values were significantly different between the control group and the affected eye group (t=−2.427, P=0.036). MicroMS was significantly correlated with logMAR BCVA (r=−0.802, P=−0.005) and with mean sensitivity (MS) and mean deviation (MD) (r=0.912, P=0.002; r=−0.905, P=0.002; P<0.05). MS and MD were not correlated with logMAR BCVA (r=−0.465, P=0.245; r=0.437, P=0.278). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that microMS of macular micro-visual field in NAION patients was significantly decreased at early stage, and was significantly correlated with and consistent with visual acuity and visual field.