Visual field progression in patients with initially unilateral visual field loss from chronic open-angle glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate visual field progression in patients with initially unilateral glaucomatous visual field loss, and to determine risk factors for progression.


METHODS
Retrospective observational case series.


METHODS
Forty-eight consecutive patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, or pigmentary glaucoma, seen over an 18-month period, who initially had unilateral visual field loss as defined by use of modified Anderson criteria. Patients were followed with standard Humphrey perimetry for a minimum of 2 years.


METHODS
Progression was defined by use of modified Anderson criteria, and Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) and Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study scores.


METHODS
Visual field progression.


RESULTS
Three patients (6.2%) had fellow eye progression over a mean follow-up of 76 months and duration of disease of 8.7 years. Fellow eye progression correlated with progression of the first-affected eye (P = 0.044). Ten patients (21%) had progression of the first-affected eye; these eyes had a larger initial cup/disc ratio compared with stable eyes (P = 0.041). Increasing initial AGIS score was associated with progression (P: = 0.003). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis estimated the risk of progression at 5 years to be 25% in first-affected eyes and 7.2% in fellow eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
In this population, the risk of fellow eye progression in patients with initially unilateral visual field loss from open-angle glaucoma is low. Progression is higher in eyes with visual field loss at initial testing, and the risk of progression increases as the level of initial visual field loss increases.
Chen
P P
PP
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Park
R J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014794:Visual Fields