[Is a medical treatment of glaucomatous field defects possible? Results of a double blind study (author's transl)].

46 patients with field defects due to simple glaucoma were treated with beta-Acetyldigoxin (given as "Placebo") or with beta-acetyldigoxin and Bencyclan (given as Verum) in tablets over 6 months, under strict double-blind conditions and after the elimination of the learning effect of perimetry. 56 out of the 69 eyes which could be evaluated, showed no change of the field during that period, in spite of increasing field defects during the preceeding months in some of them. A deterioration of the field was observed in 3 eyes treated with placebo, 10 eyes became better, one with placebo and 9 with Verum. Digitalis can evidently stop a deterioration and, in exceptional cases, even enlarge the field. Bencyclan with digitalis was found to have a definitely better effect and enlarged field in 9 out of 41 eyes which were treated with the drug, probably by the change of viscosity of the blood perhaps in addition to vasodilation and a better action of the heart. The effect is statistically-significant (p less than 5%).