Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and its acute sister primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) each threaten sight. But, although PACG comes on suddenly, eyes with POAG actually experience a faster rate of visual field (VF) loss in the superior hemifield, according to newly published research.

The study looked at 440 POAG eyes and 79 PACG eyes. Although the mean total deviations between the two were not significantly different, POAG eyes lost particular regions of the field at a quicker rate than other regions. Specifically, disease progression along the horizontal line; the central, paracentral and peripheral arcuate regions in the superior hemifield had a significantly faster rate of field loss than their inferior counterparts. PACG eyes did not display the same asymmetry of loss.