Practical Use of Area Computation for Assessment of Visual Fields: Analysis of the Results of Mecobalamin Therapy for Visual Field Defects in Chronic Glaucoma

Abstract

We reported at the previous IPS symposium that we had developed a method of calculating isopter areas on kinetic Goldmann field charts using a computer, which was very useful in the assessment of clinical progress of visual field defects. In the present study, this method was used to assess the results of mecobalamin therapy for visual field defects in glaucoma. The method proved to be useful. Mecobalamin tablets, each containing 500μg of the drug, were administered T.I.D. for 6 months to 160 patients with 298 eyes with chronic primary glaucoma. Recovery of the visual field was assessed by the isopter area computation method which we had developed. The following conclusions were drawn: 1) Visual field recovery was seen in about 50% of the eyes. 2) Visual field recovery was better in young patients than in the middle aged or old patients. 3) Changes in visual field defects were greater at a C/D ≦ 0.6 and in the early stages of the disease. 4) The isopter area computation method was excellent for assessing clinical progress of visual field defects.