Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the radial peripapillary capillary density using optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with and without Helicobacter pylori infection. METHODS: This prospective, cross-sectional study comprised 52 patients (52 eyes: Group 1) and 38 patients (38 eyes: Group 2) with and without H. pylori infections, respectively. The radial peripapillary capillary density and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in 4 equal quadrants and 2 equal hemispheres in the peripapillary region were calculated using optical coherence tomography angiography. The optic nerve head parameters of the patients were also assessed. RESULTS: The groups were similar in terms of age, gender, and the optic nerve head parameters. The radial peripapillary capillary densities in the superior hemisphere and quadrant were significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p=0.039 and p=0.028, respectively) and were positively correlated with the superior hemisphere's retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Similarly, the radial peripapillary capillary densities in the inferior hemisphere and quadrant were also significantly lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p=0.03 and p=0.017, respectively) and were positively correlated with the inferior hemisphere's retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the nasal and temporal quadrants were significantly decreased in Group 1 when compared to Group 2 (p=0.013 and p=0.022) and were positively correlated with the corresponding radial peripapillary capillary densities of the 2 quadrants (p=0.002 and p=0.022). CONCLUSION: The decreased radial peripapillary capillary density in the H. pylori-positive patients suggests that H. pylori may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of glaucoma.