UC San Diego

Purpose

To investigate the prevalence of visual field defects in glaucomatous eyes, glaucoma suspects, and ocular hypertensives with 24-2 and 10-2 visual fields.

Design

Prospective, cross-sectional study.

Participants

Patients with or suspected glaucoma tested with 24-2 and 10-2. Patients were classified into 3 groups on the basis of the presence of glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) and 24-2 visual field abnormalities: early glaucoma (GON and abnormal visual field, mean deviation >-6 decibels [dB]), glaucoma suspects (GON and normal visual field), and ocular hypertensives (normal disc, normal visual field, and intraocular pressure >22 mmHg). For the classification of visual field abnormalities, 24-2 and 10-2 tests performed on the same visit were analyzed.

Main outcome measures

Comparison of the prevalence of abnormal 24-2 versus 10-2 visual field results based on cluster criteria in each diagnostic group.

Results

A total of 775 eyes (497 patients) were evaluated. A total of 364 eyes had early glaucoma, 303 eyes were glaucoma suspects, and 108 eyes were ocular hypertensives. In the glaucoma group, 16 of the 26 eyes (61.5%) classified as normal based on cluster criteria on 24-2 tests were classified as abnormal on 10-2 visual fields. In eyes with suspected glaucoma, 79 of the 200 eyes (39.5%) classified as normal on the 24-2 test were classified as abnormal on 10-2 visual fields. In ocular hypertensive eyes, 28 of the 79 eyes (35.4%) classified as normal on the 24-2 were classified as abnormal on the 10-2. Patients of African descent were more likely to have an abnormal 10-2 result (67.3 vs. 56.8%, P = 0.009).

Conclusions

Central visual field damage seen on the 10-2 test is often missed with the 24-2 strategy in all groups. This finding has implications for the diagnosis of glaucoma and classification of severity.