[A comparative study of optic disc appearances in progressive and non-progressive low-tension glaucoma]

The relation between the optic disc appearances and the progression of visual field defects was studied by retrospective case review of 148 eyes of 74 patients with a diagnosis of low-tension glaucoma (LTG). Visual fields were tested by a Goldmann perimeter and the subjects were divided into two groups, i.e. 43 eyes (29.1%) with progression and 105 eyes (70.9%) without progression, according to Esterman's scale. In the group which showed progression, mean IOP (p less than 0.05), level of change in IOP and maximum of IOP (p less than 0.01) were significantly higher. No differences were observed in any of the following parameters: prevalence of peripapillary hemorrhage or crescent, rim pallor, disc/arteriole ratio, number of rim-crossing vessels. Mildly hypoplastic disc, however, was statistically more frequent in the progressive group (p less than 0.05). The authors suspect that not only IOP but some inherent factors concerning the optic nerve head may play an important role in the progression of LTG.