Visual dysfunction in normotensive glaucoma.

Color vision (desaturated D-15), contrast sensitivity (Vistech 6500) and pattern electroretinograms (transient and steady state) were measured in nine patients with diagnosed normotensive glaucoma. Results were compared to those from visually normal controls subjects (n = 73) and patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (n = 51). Patients with normotensive glaucoma exhibited significant contrast sensitivity and pattern electroretinogram deficits similar to those evident in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. However, patients with normotensive glaucoma exhibited significantly better color vision than did patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. These results indicate that the pattern of visual impairment associated normotensive glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma is not identical. Different pathologic mechanisms mediating visual loss in the two diseases could explain these differences.