[Effect of ocular hypotensive medications in preventing the progression of visual field damage in patients with normal-tension glaucoma].
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the effect of ocular hypotensive medications and the risk factors for progression of visual field damage in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).


METHODS
Sixty-four NTG patients (64 eyes) followed at least 4 years with ocular hypotensive medications were studied regarding the probability of visual field stability using the Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis and multiple regression analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model.


RESULTS
Probability of visual field stability was 56% at the 76-month follow-up. Mean intraocular pressure during the follow-up period and generalized cup enlargement type classified according to the optic disc shape were found to have significant influence on the progression of visual field damage.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that ocular hypotensive medications are effective in stabilizing the visual field. We need to pay attention to the optic disc shape in patients with NTG.
Nakagami
Takako
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo Japan.
Yamazaki
Yoshio
Y
Hayamizu
Fukuko
F
Tanaka
Chizuru
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014794:Visual Fields
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions