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Diabetes in primary open-angle glaucoma patients with inferior visual field defects
1Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201.
Summary
Primary open-angle glaucoma patients with inferior visual field defects show a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Further glucose testing is recommended for these patients to detect undiagnosed diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
- Visual field defects in POAG can present with various patterns.
- The association between specific POAG visual field patterns and comorbidities like diabetes mellitus requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in POAG patients with predominantly inferior visual field defects compared to those without.
- To determine if inferior visual field defects are a risk indicator for diabetes mellitus in POAG patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 144 randomly selected POAG patients.
- Classification of visual field defects based on Aulhorn's staging (1, 2, or 3).
- Comparison of diabetes mellitus prevalence between patients with and without predominantly inferior visual field defects.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus was observed in POAG patients with predominantly inferior visual field defects (32%) compared to those without (13%) (P = 0.0096).
- Of 59 patients with inferior defects, 19 had diabetes mellitus.
- Of 85 patients without inferior defects, 11 had diabetes mellitus.
Conclusions:
- POAG patients with predominantly inferior visual field defects have a significantly higher likelihood of having diabetes mellitus.
- Glucose tolerance testing may be beneficial for POAG patients with inferior visual field defects, even without a prior diabetes diagnosis, to identify occult diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance.