Causes of incident visual field loss in a general elderly population: the Rotterdam study

To determine the incidence and causes of visual field loss (VFL) in a general elderly population.

Central visual fields of both eyes were examined with suprathreshold perimetry in 3761 persons aged 55 years or older and free of VFL at baseline from the population-based Rotterdam Study. Goldmann perimetry was performed to confirm suprathreshold VFL. Causes of incident VFL (iVFL) were assessed based on all available ophthalmologic and neurological examination data and medical records.

After a mean follow-up time of 6.3 years, 175 persons developed VFL. The overall incidence rate of iVFL was 7.4 per 1000 person-years, increasing to 21.1 per 1000 person-years in those aged 80 years and older. Glaucoma was the leading cause of iVFL in all age categories. The overall incidence of glaucomatous VFL was 2.0 per 1000 person-years.

The incidence of all VFL increased 5-fold between 55 years and 80 years of age or older. After glaucoma, stroke was the second most common cause of iVFL in persons younger than 75 years, followed by age-related macular degeneration and retinal vascular occlusive disease.