Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Volume 107, Issue 12 , Pages 952-957, December 2008

Association Between High Myopia and Progression of Visual Field Loss in Primary Open-angle Glaucoma

Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

Received 23 January 2008; received in revised form 16 May 2008; accepted 18 June 2008.

Article Outline

Background/Purpose

Taiwan has a very high prevalence rate of myopia. We retrospectively studied the influence of myopia on the progression of visual field (VF) loss in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients.

Methods

We studied 515 POAG patients for a minimum follow-up period of 5 years. VF examination was performed with Humphrey perimeter, 30-2 SITA standard program, every 6 months. A point-wise numerical comparison was applied to judge the VF changes. Test points showing more than 1.0 dB of sensitivity loss in mean defect were identified. A location was considered to have progression if it was detected on two consecutive visits. Progression of VF loss was confirmed if three or more test points deteriorated. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between progression of VF loss and various risk factors.

Results

There were 262 cases. Progression of VF loss occurred in 57 eyes (21.8%) during the 5-year follow-up period. Logistic regression revealed that the deterioration was associated with older age, higher mean intraocular pressure, larger vertical cup-to-disc ratio, and greater myopic refraction status. The incidence of VF loss progression was 15.1% in the group of eyes with myopia less than −3 D, 10.5% in the group with −3 D to −6 D, 34.4% in the group with −6 D to −9 D, and 38.9% in the group with myopia greater than −9D.

Conclusion

POAG patients with myopia greater than −6 D had a greater progression of VF loss.

Key Words:  glaucoma , myopia , visual field

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PII: S0929-6646(09)60019-X

doi:10.1016/S0929-6646(09)60019-X

Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Volume 107, Issue 12 , Pages 952-957, December 2008

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