Focusing on glaucoma progression and the clinical importance of progression rate measurement: a review

This review aims to provide guidance in managing glaucoma patients more effectively. It focuses on the importance of detecting progression and measuring its rate within the management of primary open-angle glaucoma today. Recent findings strongly indicate that continued monitoring of visual fields (VFs) and reassessment of target intraocular pressures (IOPs) depending on VF progression rates are mandatory in the management of glaucoma.

Data on glaucoma progression from older as well as most recent literature findings are summarized in this article. In addition, the article elaborates on the scientific content from a series of lectures given by experts in the field during several international symposia on 'rate of progression' in 2008.

This review summarizes key findings on the natural history of glaucoma and known factors for disease progression. It highlights the visual function changes observed as glaucoma progresses and discusses disease impact on patients' quality of life. Findings support the need to obtain information on rate of progression and its importance for clinical management. Practical ways to measure rate of progression are given by new software options to help measure major parameters. Finally, on the basis of a patient's individual rate of progression therapeutic options are assessed, such as maximum medical therapy with fixed combinations.

Estimating a patient's individual rate of VF progression by using newly developed analyses will be helpful to forecast the potential future development of the glaucoma. An individualized treatment approach then requires that in patients in whom the risk of becoming visually impaired or blind during their lifetime is higher, a more intensive medical IOP-lowering therapy such as fixed combinations can be considered as treatment option.