The rate of progression of visual field damage differed according to the severity of the initial visual field damage. IOP reductive medication may be effective in preventing glaucomatous visual field progression in patients with NTG.

Reference1. Spaeth GL, Hwang S, Gomes M. Disc damage as a prognostic and therapeutic consideration in the management of patients with glaucoma. In: Gramer E, Grehn F, editors. Pathogenesis and risk factors of glaucoma.

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PurposeOur goal was to evaluate the influence of optic disc size on the progression of visual field damage in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).Subjects and methodsEighty-two eyes of 82 NTG patients who had been receiving topical antiglaucoma medications and followed-up for more than 4 years were enrolled in this study. The patients were allocated to two groups, according to the mean size of their optic discs. The data were analyzed using regression analysis, based on the Cox proportional hazard model.ResultsThe probability of visual field stability was significantly lower in eyes with large discs than in those with small discs (log rank test, P = 0.007). Progression of visual field damage was significantly associated with the optic disc area (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.812, P = 0.018), occurrence of disc hemorrhage (HR: 2.116, P = 0.028), and intraocular pressure reduction ratio (HR: 0.957, P = 0.014).ConclusionThe optic disc area correlates with progression of visual field damage in patients with NTG.