Evaluation of Visual Field Test Parameters after Artificial Tear Administration in Patients with Glaucoma and Dry Eye.

PURPOSE

To examine the effect of a single dose of artificial tear administration on automated visual field (VF) testing in patients with glaucoma and dry eye syndrome.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 35 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma experienced in VF testing with symptoms of dry eye were enrolled in this study. At the first visit, standard VF testing was performed. At the second and third visits with an interval of one week, while the left eyes served as control, one drop of artificial tear was administered to each patient's right eye, and then VF testing was performed again. The reliability parameters, VF indices, number of depressed points at probability levels of pattern deviation plots, and test times were compared between visits.

RESULTS

No significant difference was observed in any VF testing parameters of control eyes (P>0.05). In artificial tear administered eyes, significant improvement was observed in test duration, mean deviation, and the number of depressed points at probability levels (P˂0.5%, P˂1%, P˂2) of pattern deviation plots (P˂0.05). The post-hoc test revealed that artificial tear administration elicited an improvement in test duration, mean deviation, and the number of depressed points at probability levels (P˂0.5%, P˂1%, P˂2%) of pattern deviation plots from first visit to second and third visits (P˂0.01, for all comparisons). The intraclass correlation coefficient for the three VF test indices was found to be between 0.735 and 0.85 (P<0.001, for all).

DISCUSSION

A single dose of artificial tear administration immediately before VF testing seems to improve test results and decrease test time.