Impact of peripapillary retinoschisis on visual field test results in glaucomatous eyes

Background/Aims To investigate the influence of peripapillary retinoschisis (PRS) on visual field (VF) test results in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods Thirty eyes of 30 patients with POAG who had PRS at least once were included. All eyes were followed-up for a minimum 5 years at 4-6-month intervals. The occurrence of PRS was determined by circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer B-scan on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). The global and regional VF deviations just prior to and immediately after PRS formation, or just prior to and immediately after PRS resolution (if it occurred), were compared. VF sensitivity within the region corresponding to the OCT sector where PRS occurred was determined according to the Garway-Heath map. Results Global MD (p=0.345) and regional VF deviations (p=0.255) did not differ significantly between immediately after and just prior to PRS formation. Global MD (p=0.846) and regional VF deviations (p=0.758) were also similar between immediately after and just prior to PRS resolution. Conclusion PRS has no short-term effect on the VF sensitivity. Therefore, VF test can still be useful for evaluating glaucomatous damage even in the presence of PRS compared with OCT.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the influence of peripapillary retinoschisis (PRS) on visual field (VF) test results in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). The results showed that PRS had no short-term effect on VF sensitivity, and VF testing can still be used for evaluating glaucomatous damage.