Visual field prognosis in advanced glaucoma

Abstract

Abstract. 79 eyes in 71 patients with advanced glaucomatous damage (loss of at least half the visual field) have been followed for 5–18 years. At the first visit 42 eyes had an intraocular pressure of 40 mmHg or higher. During the follow‐up the visual field defect was stable in 23 eyes (29%) and progressed in 56 eyes (71%). Deterioration of the field was not dependent on the initial degree of defect. Central vision was lost in 27 eyes, and 16 eyes became amaurotic. The visual field was unchanged in 36% of the operated eyes, as against 20% of the medically treated eyes. In no case was central vision lost as as consequence of surgery. Obviously, the prognosis was better in eyes with intraocular pressures below 15 mmHg during the follow‐up (58% stable visual fields) than in the eyes with pressures higher than 15 mmHg (15% stable fields). Most of the eyes with pressures below 15 mmHg had been operated.