[Mode of progression of visual field defects and risk factors in glaucoma patients]

A study of glaucoma was conducted at 17 institutions to clarify the mode of progression of visual field defects in specific types of glaucoma, including primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG), and normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Staging of glaucoma was done by the Kosaki Classification or the Aulhorn Classification and the mode of progression was assessed by life-stable method. The progressive and non-progressive groups of patients in each glaucoma stage were compared with respect to age, intraocular pressure, refraction, and optic disc cupping. A total of 656 eyes were investigated in 656 patients (301 men and 355 women) with a mean age of 58.0 years. The average follow-up period was 5.8 years for the study using the Kosaki Classification and 4.0 years for that done with the Aulhorn Classification. The progression of visual field defects was rapid in the early stage but slow in the middle and late stages in the study by the Kosaki Classification, and it was slow in the late stages in the study by the Aulhorn Classification. The time for progression from stage Ia to stage VI was 43.3 years in the study by the Kosaki Classification and the time for progression from stage 0 to stage 6 was 47.2 years in the study by the Aulhorn Classification. The progressive and non-progressive groups differed significantly with respect to intraocular pressure at various stages.