Assessing the diagnostic capability of the macular ganglion cell complex and retinal fiber layer thickness in glaucoma patients

The diagnostic value of macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness in glaucoma is of interest. Using OCT imaging, 90 subjects (45 glaucoma and 45 controls) were studied and the thickness of RNFL and GCC was evaluated. The RNFL was significantly lower in glaucoma patients (71.3 ± 6.5 µm) compared to controls (95.2 ± 5.9 µm, p< 0.001) and so was GCC thickness (72.1 ± 7.3 µm versus 90.6 ± 6.8 µm in controls, p< 0.001). The diagnostic accuracy of RNFL (AUC 0.89) was a bit higher than GCC (AUC 0.87). Combined evaluation enhanced the sensitivity of early glaucoma detection, as well as specificity.