Sep 14 2009
Researchers Identify High-Risk Glaucoma Patients
Scientists have determined that glaucoma patients who have damage to both hemifields (half of the visual field) of their eye will experience more rapid progression of the disease than patients who have damage to a single hemifield.
The study, published in the September 2009 journal Archives of Ophthalmology, reviews data from 205 patients. 79 were found with an initial superior defect, 61 with an initial inferior defect, and 65 with both hemifields affected.
Analysis showed significantly higher baseline intraocular pressure and thinner central corneal thickness in patients with initial damage to both hemifields.
The study authors concluded that initial damage to both hemifields increases the risk of glaucoma progression, and that doctors should consider more aggressive therapy for these patients.
Learn more about glaucoma, including natural ways to help prevent and care for glaucoma at the Natural Eye Care website
SOURCE: Glaucoma With Early Visual Field Loss Affecting Both Hemifields and the Risk of Disease Progression, De Moraes, et al, Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127(9):1129-1134.