Baseline 10-2 Visual Field Loss May Foretell Glaucoma Progression

Baseline 10-2 visual field (VF) loss may predict future glaucoma progression, according to research presented at the American Academy of Optometry 2022 annual meeting, held in San Diego, CA, from October 26-29, 2022. 

The research team, which included Michael Sullivan-Mee OD, Kimura Bryan, OD, and Helen Kee, OD, evaluated the association between baseline 10-2 VF loss and future 24-2 VF loss in a prospective, longitudinal study. Study inclusion required 2 good quality baseline 10-2 VF tests followed by at least 5 good quality 24-2 VF tests over a minimum of 3 years. The participants completed longitudinal 24-2 VF testing every 4-6 months following baseline 10-2 testing.

A total of 202 participants (eyes, 394) with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG; n=119) and glaucoma suspects (n=83) completed good quality 24-2 VF tests over 6.7 years. Median interquartile range (IQR) values in baseline 24-2 mean deviation (MD), 10-2 MD, and 24-2 MD rate of change were -0.67 dB, -0.59 dB, and -0.13 dB per year, respectively, according to the report. 

A mixed-model regression analysis revealed that the baseline variables that predicted faster 24-2 VF loss rates were the presence of baseline 10-2 VF defect, lower 24-2 MD, and older age. After performing the analysis without the 10-2 VF defect variable, predictive capability was reduced, according to the poster presenters.

Cox Proportional Regression analysis revealed that baseline 10-2 VF defect showed the largest hazard ratio (22 times higher risk) for developing future VF loss in participants with baseline 10-2 VF loss vs without it.

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