Objective: The pattern of functional perimetric loss and morphologic neuroretinal rim loss in glaucoma depends on the localization of the central retinal vessel trunk in the lamina cribrosa. The purpose of the present study was to determine if the pattern of perimetric loss and rim loss are influenced by the presence and position of cilioretinal arteries.

Methods: Using automated perimetry and 15 degrees color stereo optic disc photographs of the optic disc, we compared 20 open-angle glaucoma patients exhibiting cilioretinal arteries in the temporal horizontal disc region with 70 open-angle glaucoma patients without cilioretinal arteries.

Results: Eyes with cilioretinal arteries and eyes without cilioretinal arteries did not differ significantly in global visual field indices nor in the mean defect for the central 10 degrees. No differences were detected for the areas of optic disc, neuroretinal rim, ratios of the temporal horizontal area-to-total area of rim and ratio of temporal horizontal rim area-to-nasal rim area.

Conclusions: In contrast to the position of the central retinal vessel trunk, the presence and position of cilioretinal arteries do not markedly influence the pattern of glaucomatous damage.