Mapping the Central 10° Visual Field to the Optic Nerve Head Using the Structure–Function Relationship

Purpose: To investigate the structure-function mapping in the central 10° by relating Humphrey field analyzer (HFA) 10-2 visual field (VF) and circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) thickness from spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). We also compared the obtained results with a previously reported mapping between 10-2 VF and the optic disc. Methods: In 151 eyes of 151 POAG patients and 35 eyes from 35 healthy participants, cpRNFL thickness measurements were obtained using SD-OCT and the 10-2 VF was measured with the HFA. The relationship between visual sensitivity and cpRNL thickness values in the temporal 180° was analyzed using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. The optic disc angle corresponding to each VF test point was then derived using the coefficients from the optimal LASSO regression. Results: The structure-function map obtained was largely consistent with the mapping reported previously; superior central VF test points correspond to a more vulnerable area of the optic disc, more distant toward the inferior pole from the center of the temporal quadrant (9:00 o'clock for the right eye) while inferior VF test points correspond closer to the center of the temporal quadrant. The prediction error tended to be large in the 'more vulnerable area' in the map reported previously. Conclusions: The structure-function map obtained largely confirms the previously reported map; however, some important differences were observed.