Baseline 24-2 Central Visual Field Damage Is Predictive of Global Progressive Field Loss

Am J Ophthalmol. 2018 Mar:187:92-98. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2018.01.001. Epub 2018 Jan 6.

Abstract

Purpose: Central visual field (VF) damage in glaucoma patients can significantly hinder daily activities. The present study investigates whether the presence of localized baseline damage to the central 10 degrees of the VF is predictive of faster global mean deviation (MD) progression.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Methods: Eyes from the multicenter African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES) with established glaucoma and VF loss and a minimum of 5 24-2 VFs were eligible. Baseline central 24-2 damage was defined as any of the 12 central-most points with total deviation (TD) values at P < 0.5% on 2 consecutive examinations. Progression was determined using trend-based and event-based criteria: (1) rates of MD change significantly faster than zero and (2) >-5 dB MD loss over the entire follow-up.

Results: A total of 827 eyes of 584 patients were studied. Mean rate of MD change of the entire sample was -0.15 dB/year (95% CI: -0.19 to -0.12, P < .001). Eyes with baseline central damage progressed faster than those without (difference: βcentral = -0.07 dB/year, 95% CI: -0.11 to -0.01, P = .011) and were more likely to experience MD loss greater than 5 dB (hazard ratio = 3.0 [95% CI: 2.1-4.1, P < .001]). These differences remained significant after adjusting for confounders.

Conclusion: The presence of central VF damage at baseline is significantly associated with more rapid global progression. Detection of central VF damage aids in stratification of high-risk patients who may need intensive surveillance and aggressive treatment.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Black or African American / ethnology
  • Disease Progression
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glaucoma / diagnosis*
  • Glaucoma / ethnology
  • Glaucoma / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Optic Disk / pathology*
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / ethnology
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / physiopathology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • Vision Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Vision Disorders / ethnology
  • Vision Disorders / physiopathology
  • Visual Field Tests*
  • Visual Fields / physiology*