Factors for Glaucoma Progression and the Effect of Treatment

Abstract

THE FACTORS related to the progression of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) have been evaluated in many studies, with variable findings reported.^1-11 This variability may be explained by differences in study design, methods of data collection, specific factors evaluated, or approaches used for statistical analyses. Some studies have been based on retrospective analyses of patient data, which are subject to various limitations, while others have provided stronger evidence by evaluating risk factors prospectively. In addition, the number and type of patient characteristics studied have ranged widely—from a broad spectrum of variables to only a few data items. At times, the level of intraocular pressure (IOP) has been used to select patients for study, with some reports focusing only on "high pressure" or "normal pressure" in patients with glaucoma, and in others, including a continuum of IOP. It is not surprising, therefore, to find that studies have reached different conclusions regarding the relative importance of factors influencing outcome.