Association between platelet aggregation parameters and primary open angle glaucoma

Background: The aim of the research was to study association between platelet aggregation parameters and primary open angle glaucoma. Methods: An analytical cross sectional study with comparison group was conducted on 120 patients (60 cases, 60 controls). All enrolled patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological examination which included visual acuity assessment and refractive error testing, slit lamp examination, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement with Goldmann's applanation tonometer, Gonioscopy using Sussman 4 mirror gonioscope, optic nerve head examination by slit lamp and biomicroscopy using +90D lens, visual field analysis and mean deviation assessment using automated perimeter in both eyes, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) analysis by optical coherence tomography (OCT), complete blood count (CBC) analysis for the study of platelet aggregation parameters, platelet count (PLT), platelet distribution width (PDW), plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR). Results: Based on the direction of assessment, PCT was evaluated for prediction of glaucoma, a cut off of PCT <0.203 was found to be 83.3% sensitive and 53.3% specific. Severity of POAG did not show any significant association with any of the platelet aggregation parameters. Conclusions: In the present study, we did not find a significant association of different platelet parameters with severity of POAG either.