The longitudinal changes of the visual field in an Asian population with primary angle-closure glaucoma with and without an acute attack.

PURPOSE: To investigate the longitudinal changes of visual field (VF) in Asian patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) occurring with and without an acute attack.

METHODS

In this retrospective case series, 87 consecutive patients diagnosed with bilateral PACG during the period from 2000 to 2010 were included. The eyes of the enrolled patients were categorized into 2 groups: PACG with 1 documented episode of an acute episode in the affected eye (APACG); PACG without a previous documented acute episode in the fellow eye (CPACG). The historical change in the VF in both groups was assessed every 3 months for >2 years.

RESULTS

Of the 174 eyes included in the study, 87 eyes belonged to the APACG group, and 87 eyes belonged to the CPACG group. The mean deviation (MD) in the APACG group decreased significantly from -6.22 to -6.73 dB between the 6- and 9-month follow-up periods (P=0.03). There were significant differences between the 2 groups in the MD index from the 9- to 24-month follow-up. The corrected pattern standard deviation (CPSD) in the APACG group increased significantly from 3.61 to 3.71 dB between the 6- and 9-month follow-up periods (P=0.04). The CPSD index was higher in the APACG group than in the CPACG group from the 9- to 24-month follow-up, which was a statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Glaucomatous VF damage in Asian patients with APACG was detected after a 6-month follow-up period, despite the presence of laser peripheral iridotomy in this population. In the patients with CPACG, there was no significant difference in the MD and CPSD during the follow-up period. Patients with APACG would benefit from regular monitoring of the decline in the VF.