Effect of cataract extraction on SITA perimetry in patients with glaucoma.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of cataract extraction on Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm (SITA) perimetry in patients with coexisting cataract and glaucoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective noncomparative interventional study. Thirty-seven consecutive patients with open-angle glaucoma who had cataract extraction alone or combined with trabeculectomy were included. All patients had SITA-standard 24-2 visual fields before and after the surgery. The main outcome measures were changes in mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD). Additionally, changes in best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and number of glaucoma medications were also studied.

RESULTS

Visual field tests were performed 3.9+/-4.4 months before surgery and 4.1+/-2.8 months after surgery. Mean visual acuity improved after the surgery, from 0.41+/-0.21 to 0.88+/-0.32 (P<0.001). After cataract extraction, SITA-standard mean MD improved from -12.3+/-5.8 to -11.1+/-6.3 (P=0.023), whereas the change in mean PSD was statistically nonsignificant (from 7.2+/-3.0 to 7.3+/-3.6; P=0.84).

CONCLUSIONS

In glaucoma patients examined with SITA-standard, MD improved but PSD change was statistically nonsignificant, after the cataract surgery. SITA-standard PSD can be used to monitor glaucoma progression in patients with coexisting glaucoma and cataract.