Mean target intraocular pressure and progression rates in chronic angle-closure glaucoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors for progression in chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG) patients.

A retrospective cohort of patient records in East Asia were evaluated for risk factors associated with progressive optic-disc and visual-field loss. There were 101 CACG patients with 5 years of follow-up.

Seventy-one percent (71%) of patients with intraocular pressures (IOP) of >22 mmHg progressed, whereas 26% of patients with IOPs of 13-21 mmHg progressed, and 0% of patients with IOPs of <12 mmHg progressed. The mean IOP was 16.6 +/- 3.4 mmHg in the stable group and 18.8 +/- 3.5 mmHg in the progressed group (P = 0.007). The highest average peak IOP was 23.2 +/- 6.3 mmHg in the stable group and 26.5 +/- 6.5 mmHg in the progressed group (P = 0.03). Generally, patients whose standard deviation of IOP was <2 mmHg (12% progressed) were more often stable, compared to those who were >3 mmHg (33% progressed). A multivariate regression analysis was positive for mean IOP as a clinically important risk factor for progression.

IOP reduction in CACG patients may help prevent progressive visual-field and optic-disc damage.