A Global Shape Index to Characterize Anterior Lamina Cribrosa Morphology and Its Determinants in Healthy Indian Eyes

PURPOSE. Lamina cribrosa (LC) morphology could be implicated in the progression of glaucoma. To date, no established, quantifiable parameter to assess LC shape in vivo exists. We aim to introduce a new global shape index for the anterior LC (LC-GSI) and to identify associations with ocular factors in a healthy Indian population. METHODS. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of the optic nerve head (ONH) were performed on 162 healthy subjects. Optic nerve head structures were delineated and a geometric characterization of anterior LC morphology was obtained by measuring curvature along 180 LC cross sections and representing it as LC-GSI ranging from -1 to +1. Lamina cribrosa depth and curvature were also reported. Linear regression was used to identify factors associated with LC morphology. RESULTS. The typical healthy LC had a saddle rut-like appearance, with a central ridge visible in superior-inferior cross sections. A more prominent central ridge (larger LC-GSI) was associated with shorter axial length (P < 0.001), smaller Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) area (P = 0.020), smaller vertical cup-to-disc ratio (VCDR) (P = 0.007), and larger minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) (P = 0.001). A deeper LC was associated with male sex (P < 0.001), shorter axial length (P = 0.003), larger VCDR (P < 0.001), and smaller BMO-MRW (P = 0.002). Age and IOP were not significantly associated with LC morphology in healthy eyes. CONCLUSIONS. The LC-GSI is a single index that quantifies overall LC shape in an intuitive way. Ocular determinants of LC-GSI in healthy eyes included risk factors for glaucoma (axial length, VCDR, and BMO-MRW), highlighting the potential role of LC morphological characterization in the diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma.