Affiliations 

  • 1 Universiti Asia Metropolitan
  • 2 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
MyJurnal

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize, differentiate and correlate visual field and brain activation in visual cortex
for normal, glaucoma suspect (GS) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) participants using Standard Automated
Perimetry (SAP) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) respectively. The fMRI scans and SAP test were both
carried out in Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM). Two types of black-and-white checkerboard
pattern were displayed to the participants during the fMRI scans. The fMRI data were analyzed using WFU pickatlas
toolbox targeting visual cortex area. The results showed that there was no significant difference in number of activated
voxel between the three groups in visual cortex (BA 17, 18 and 19) while viewing all the given stimuli (p > 0.05). The
pattern standard deviation (PSD) of SAP for visual field also revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in all groups of
participants. However, negative correlation between PSD and fMRI activation was observed. The PSD values increased with
a decrease in fMRI activation. With reference to visual field analysis, the results suggest that glaucomatous neuropathy of
POAG patients has led to a gradual decrease in visual cortex activation and a gradual increase in PSD.