Accuracy of pattern deviation in estimating the glaucomatous damage in the central 10° visual field in eyes with glaucoma and cataract

Abstract

Background/aimsThe accuracy of pattern deviation (PD) in estimating the damage to the glaucomatous visual field (VF) in the central 10° in eyes with glaucoma and cataract is unclear.MethodsThis retrospective study includes 63 eyes of 52 glaucoma patients who successfully underwent cataract surgery or cataract surgery plus iStent implantation. Using the Humphrey Field Analyser 10–2 test, VF was measured within 6 months preoperatively and postoperatively (VFpreand VFpost, respectively). The mean total deviation values in VFpost(mTDpost) indicates glaucomatous damage without cataract and the difference between this value and mean PD values in VFpre(mPDpre) was evaluated (εmPD). The effect of cataract was then evaluated as the difference between mTDpostand mTDpre(ΔmTD), while the effects of mTDpostand ΔmTD on εmPD were also assessed. In addition, based on preoperative visual acuity (VApre) and VFpre, the optimal model for predicting mTDpostwas identified. The error of this method (εOptimalModel) was estimated as the difference against mTDpost, which was compared with εmPD.ResultsCompared with mTDpre, there was a significant improvement in mTDpost(p=0.028). A significant difference was observed between mPDpreand mTDpost(p<0.001). Further, εmPD significantly increased with the increase of mTDpostor ΔmTD (p<0.001 and p=0.0444, respectively). The absolute εOptimalModel was significantly smaller than the absolute εmPD (p<0.001).ConclusionsThis study warns clinicians that PD of the central 10° VF might underestimate the glaucomatous VF damage with the progression of glaucoma and overestimate it as a cataract progresses.