Baseline 10-2 Visual Field Loss as a Predictor for Future Glaucoma Progression

Presence of baseline 10-2 visual field (VF) loss was the strongest predictor of future rate of 24-2 VF loss and development of new 24-2 progression events, suggesting a role for 10-2 VF testing in baseline glaucoma risk analysis.

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between baseline 10-2 VF loss and future 24-2 VF loss.

Subjects were participating in a prospective longitudinal study within a VA Medical Center outpatient eye clinic. Eligibility required 2 good quality baseline 10-2 VF tests followed by a minimum of 5 good quality 24-2 VF tests over at least 3 years. Longitudinal 24-2 VF testing was completed every 4-6 months after baseline 10-2 testing. Mixed model regression analyses and Cox Proportional Hazard regression analyses were completed to identify predictors of 24-2 mean deviation change rate and new VF loss events.

We studied 394 eyes of 202 subjects (119 primary open angle glaucoma and 83 glaucoma suspect). Over 6.7 (±1.5) years, 9.9 (±2.3) good quality 24-2 VF tests were completed. In mixed model regression analyses, baseline variables that predicted faster rate of 24-2 VF loss in order of strength of association were presence of baseline 10-2 VF defect, lower 24-2 mean deviation, and higher age. When analyses were completed without 10-2 variables, predictive capability of the model was reduced compared with when 10-2 variables were included. In Cox Proportional Regression analyses evaluating progression events, baseline 10-2 VF defect demonstrated the largest hazard ratio (22 times greater risk for developing future VF loss event in eyes with vs. without baseline 10-2 VF loss).

Baseline 10-2 VF defect was the most effective predictor of subsequent 24-2 VF progression in this study. These findings imply that presence of baseline 10-2 VF loss may provide unique value for predicting future glaucoma progression.