Former smoking as a risk factor for visual field progression in exfoliation glaucoma patients in Sweden

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: The present study aimed to identify whetherformer smoking was a risk factor for visual field progression in exfoliation glaucoma patients. Methods: Prospective nonrandomized cohort study. The study included patients diagnosed with exfoliation glaucoma. All included patients were followed for three years (± three months) with reliable visual fields. At least five reliable visual fields needed to be included in the study. Exfoliation glaucoma was defined using the European Glaucoma Society Guidelines. The visual fields were tested using the 24-2 test strategy of the Humphrey Field Analyzer. Smoking was assessed through questionnaires. Outcomes: Visual field progression. Three different approaches were used: difference in mean deviation (MD), rate of progression (ROP), and guided progression analysis (GPA). Results: In total, n=113 patients were included; among them, n=57 were smokers. Smoking was a significant predictor for visual field progression in the three models (MD/ROP/GPA) studied (p=0.01/p=0.001/p≤0.001), even adjusting for intraocular pressure (IOP). Other predictors were includedin the MD model: IOP at diagnosis (p=0.04) and SLT treatment (p=0.01). Other predictors were in the ROP model: VFI (p=0.005), number of medications (p=0.001) and SLT treatment (p=0.001). Other predictors were in the GPA model: the number of medications (p=0.002). Conclusions: Former smoking induced visual field deterioration in all of the models studied. Smoking status should be considered when establishing the glaucoma diagnosis. Increased glaucoma care should be provided to former smokers to slow the progression of the disease.