In diabetic retinopathy the correlation between lamina cribrosa thickness and optic disc vascular density

Purpose: The objective involved exploring the potential correlation among optic disc vascular density, lamina cribrosa thickness and depth in diabetic retinopathy. Materials and Methods: In a prospective study 85 participants were included comprising 30 in the control group (Group-1),30 with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR=Group-2) ,25 with proliferative diabetic retinopathy PDR=Group-3). Comprehensive eye examinations were conducted and measurements were obtained using optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA) for optic disc vascular density,OCT for retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and enhanced depth imaging OCT(EDI-OCT) for lamina cribrosa thickness and depth,prelaminar tissue thickness and Bruch membrane openings.Groups comparisons were made utilizing an analysis of variance(anova-t) tests while the relationship between parameters was assessed through Spearman's correlation analysis. Results: No significant differences in age and gender were observed among the groups. Lamina cribrosa depth significantly decreased in Groups 2 and 3(p<0,001). Prelaminar tissue thickness was thinner in Groups 2 and 3(p<0,001). Bruch membrane openings were larger in Groups 2 and 3(p=0,001). DRP groups exhibited a significant reduction in vascular density percentage inside disc, whole image, peripapillary and inferior hemi various optic disc regions(p<0,001). Vascular density percentage negative correlated with proliferation. A significant negative correlation was observed between retinal nerve fiber thickness and lamina cribrosa depth(r:-0.228,p=0.036). Conclusion: No correlation was found between diabetic retinopathy and lamina cribrosa thickness. However there was a correlation observed between lamina cribrosa depth and prelaminar tissue thickness, as well as Bruch membrane opening. Performing these measurements in EDI-OCT in diabetic patients may provide information about the impact on optic disc vascularity. Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy, OCTA, EDI-OCT, lamina cribrosa, prelaminar thickness