Perimetric defects after a single acute angle-closure glaucoma attack.
BACKGROUND
This study was carried out to determine the effect of an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma on the visual field.


METHODS
A total of 53 eyes were examined 36-48 h after remission of an acute glaucoma attack by means of computerised perimetry (Humphrey 630 perimeter, 30-2 program). Perimetry was repeated after at least 1 month in 22 eyes.


RESULTS
Perimetric defects, varying greatly in severity and primarily of the generalised type or concerning at least wide sectors of the field, were detected in 45 (85%) of 53 cases. The visual field was normal in the remaining 8 patients (15%). The upper nasal quadrants were the most frequently affected and the degree of eccentricity was most frequently involved within the 9 degrees -21 degrees area. In 7 of the 22 cases in which perimetry was repeated after 1 month, complete normalisation was noted in the visual field.


CONCLUSIONS
An isolated attack of acute glaucoma produces in most cases a perimetric defect of generalised or mixed type. This may be reversible. The most affected zones were the upper half of the visual field and the 9 degrees -21 degrees area.
Bonomi
L
L
Ospedale di Borgo Trento, Clinica Oculistica, Università degli Studi di Verona, Piazzale Stefani 1, I-37126 Verona, Italy.
Marraffa
M
M
Marchini
G
G
Canali
N
N
D000208:Acute Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015812:Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields