[Reading performance in patients with central visual field disturbance due to glaucoma].

PURPOSE

To evaluate the relationship between central visual field disturbance due to glaucoma and reading performance.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We evaluated the reading performance of 11 patients (14 eyes) with visual acuities of 1.0 and higher who had absolute scotoma within 3 degrees of the central visual field. The ages of the patients ranged from 37 to 77, with a median of 62 years. Maximum reading speed of texts printed horizontally and vertically was measured using MNREAD-J. Subjective reading difficulties were investigated orally. The relationship between the maximum reading speed of both horizontal and vertical texts, the subjective reading difficulties, the number of quadrants, and the position and continuity of absolute scotoma were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean maximum reading speed for vertical and horizontal texts by the 11 patients was 323 and 335 characters/minute(c/m), respectively, and was not significantly slower than that of normal eyes. In 2 of 14 eyes, a significant (p < 0.05) difference between maximum vertical and horizontal reading speeds was observed. In 3 of 14 eyes, absolute scotoma was distributed continuously in more than 2 adjacent quadrants, and these patients also had subjective reading difficulties.

CONCLUSION

Reading difficulty is present in patients having absolute scotoma within 3 degrees of the central visual field when the scotoma involves more than 2 adjacent quadrants.