[A comparative study of visual field defects between primary open-angle and low tension glaucoma].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the characteristics of early visual field defects in primary opene-angle glaucoma (POAG) and low tension glaucoma (LTG).

METHOD

The visual fields of 41 eyes with early POAG and 15 eyes with LTG were quantitatively measured with QZS-2 automated perimetry (full threshold program).

RESULTS

Most of the early glaucomatous visual field defects in POAG and LTG presented the decrease of localized light sensitivity, and a few indicated the decrease of diffuse type. The defect occurred entirely in the central field and in a small number of eyes it was complicated by the peripheral field defect, especially in the nasal field. The differences of the mean light sensitivity and short-term fluctuation in the central field were statistically significant between the early POAG or LTG and the normal control group (all P < 0.05). In the comparisons of the visual field defect and retinal nerve fiber layer defect between early POAG and LTG groups, the results indicated that the types of damage and distribution of the areas involved were not different.

CONCLUSION

The characteristics of early visual field defects in POAG and LTG are the same.