Intraocular Pressure Correlates with Visual Function in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Patients

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To assess concurrent acute changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual function in a meta–analysis of patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods:All procedures were approved by an IRB, and informed consent was obtained. In two separate clinical studies, 31 patients with primary open angle glaucoma (61 ± 9 years, 16 male, 15 female) were analyzed. Each study was a double blind randomized cross–over study of a glaucoma medication with prior timolol run–in. Changes in IOP (Goldmann applanation tonometry) were correlated with changes in visual acuity (ETDRS logMAR) and contrast sensitivity (VectorVision CSV1000) using linear regression analysis. Results: Reduction in IOP was statistically significantly correlated to improved visual acuity (p=0.0048, r²=0.606) after four weeks of treatment with Alphagan, to contrast sensitivity at 12 cycles per degree (c.p.d.) (p=0.05, r²=0.23) and 18 c.p.d. (p=0.01, r²=0.4) after two weeks treatment with Cosopt BID; and 12 c.p.d. (p=0.036, r²=0.32) after four weeks of Cosopt BID). Conclusions: Reductions in intraocular pressure are associated with improved visual function in POAG patients. This relationship is observed across various pharmacological regimes.

Keywords: intraocular pressure • visual acuity • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment