The goal of this study is to evaluate whether Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) has the potential to improve how moderate-to-severe primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is clinically monitored.
Purpose
African Americans have a greater prevalence of open angle glaucoma (OAG) and exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP). We investigated whether glaucomatous vascular changes were related to exposure of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 µm (PM2.5) in the African American Eye Disease Study (AFEDS).
Methods
The AFEDS is a cross-sectional, population-based cohort study conducted from 2014–2018 of 6,347 self-reported African Americans aged 40 years or older residing in 32 US census tracts of Inglewood, California.
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) is a novel method of measuring blood flow through the retina of the eye. FDA approval was obtained for OCTA in 2015. The reliability, reproducibility, and repeatability of OCTA have not been characterized in patients with glaucoma and normal eyes. OCTA parameters were highly repeatable during the same visit.
I presented 3 papers to my committee while defending my dissertation in epidemiology. I proposed the first two projects in clinical epidemiology of visual impairment during my [Qualifying Exam](https://domgrisafe.com/talk/quals-vfl-vsqol-multiethnic-lac/) the previous fall. I identified a novel project in the environmental epidemiology of air pollution and primary open angle glaucomatous pathology.