AIM: To analyze the diagnostic value of macular ganglion cell complex(mGCC)in primary glaucoma and explore the correlation between mGCC and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer(pRNFL)and visual field, in order to provide scientific reference for the diagnosis and treatment of primary glaucoma.

METHODS: Eighty eyes in 67 primary glaucoma patients admitted to our hospital from January 2015 to December 2016 were included in the observation group. Another 80 eyes in 40 healthy subjects in our hospital were included in the control group during the same period. The mGCC and pRNFL thicknesses of two groups were measured with an optical coherence tomography(OCT). The thickness of mGCC and pRNFL and visual field were compared between the two groups. The diagnostic value of mGCC for primary glaucoma was analyzed. The correlation between mGCC and pRNFL and visual field mean defect was detected.

RESULTS: The superior, inferior and average mGCC thickness in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05). The superior, inferior and average pRNFL thickness in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The visual field mean defect in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between mGCC and pRNFL(r=0.58, P<0.01)and there was a significant negative correlation between mGCC and the average visual field defect(r=-0.69, P<0.01)in the observation group. ROC curve analysis showed that the intercept point value of mGCC in the diagnosis of primary glaucoma was 86.39μm. The sensitivity was 82.5% and the specificity was 76.25%.

CONCLUSION: The mGCC has a certain diagnostic value for primary glaucoma. There is positive correlation between mGCC and pRNFL and negative correlation between that and visual field mean defect.