Detection of visual field progression in glaucoma.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to compare an event analysis and a trend analysis for the detection of progression in glaucomatous visual field loss.


METHODS
Excluding initial fields (Octopus, Haag-Streit AG, Köniz, Switzerland), baseline was defined as the average result of the second and third examinations. Eyes with at least 6 additional fields entered the study. The event analysis used the method of the Collaborative Normal Tension Glaucoma Study, and the trend analysis was based on a point-wise linear regression analysis.


RESULTS
Of 251 glaucoma patients, 235 left eyes and 225 right eyes qualified for the study. Using the event analysis, 44 series suggested a progressive damage, while the point-wise regression approach disclosed only 14 progressing series. In 9 eyes, the two approaches were concordant. Among the latter, 1 - 5 additional fields were necessary in 7 series to disclose progression using the trend analysis. In one series, the event analysis showed progression 7 examinations later.


CONCLUSIONS
The point-wise linear regression analysis classified fewer cases as progressing than the event analysis and determined progression later.
Kovalska
M
M
University Eye Clinic, Basel, Switzerland.
Grieshaber
M C
MC
Schötzau
A
A
Katamay
R
R
Hauenstein
D
D
Flammer
J
J
Orgül
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014794:Visual Fields