Journal of Eye Diseases and Disorders

A pilot study on the effects of retinal ganglion cell thickness on visual acuity among glaucoma patients

6^th International Conference on Optometry & 10^th International Conference on Eye and Vision

June 12-13, 2025 | Webinar

Komal Sharma, Himanshu Tripathi, Kenshuk Marwah

PhD Scholar, NIMS University, India

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Eye

Abstract:

Background: Glaucoma is one of the leading causes for vision impairment around the globe and is often linked with the advanced degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The association of RGC thickness with visual acuity (VA) remains one of the important topics for finding ways for early intervention of the disease as well as proper management. Objective: This study seeks to determine the effect of RGC thickness on visual acuity among glaucoma patients by evaluating the correlations and statistical significance within the variables using regression analysis for predictive modelling. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 89 glaucoma patients. Some of the important parameters captured were age, intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity (VA measured in LOG MAR), and RGC thickness of right eye (RE) and left eye (LE). The dataset underwent thorough pre processing, followed by descriptive statistical analysis with subsequent correlation analysis, ANOVA, and regression modelling to determine predictive variables. Results: A strong negative relationship was established between GCL thickness and VA (LOG MAR) (RE: -0.72, LE: -0.88) which indicates that lower RGC layer thickness translates to poorer visual acuity. Through ANOVA, it was shown that there was a difference in VA of patient with different RGC thickness (p= 3.09e-13 for RE, p=3.45 e-22 for LE). Regression models estimate GCL thickness could explain 76.9% of VA variation for the left eye (LE) and 51.9% for the right eye (RE), confirming its value in predicting visual impairment severity. Conclusion: This study affirms the role of RGC thinning as an important biomarker of visual acuity deterioration in glaucoma patients. The results highlight the need for proactive surveillance of RGC thickness in the context of glaucoma management and long-term prognosis. These relationships should be investigated in larger populations to develop and refine strategies for early diagnosis and intervention. Keywords: Glaucoma, Retinal Ganglion Cell Thickness, Visual Acuity, Optical Coherence Tomography, Regression Analysis, ANOVA, Biomarker.

Biography :

Komal Sharma is an optometrist and academician with a strong passion for advancing vision science and public eye health. She holds a Masterâ??s degree in Optometry and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Optometry at NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur. Komal also serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Optometry at Noida International University. With a diverse clinical and academic background, she has previously worked with Specialist Eye Care Center and has teaching experience at Sharda University, College of Optometry and Jamia Hamdard University. Her research focuses on the retinal ganglion cellâ??s impact on visual function, and she actively contributes to public health eye care initiatives. Her work reflects a deep commitment to improving optometry education, clinical standards, and global vision wellness.