Progressive spectacle correction in patients with ametropia and primary open-angle glaucoma

Purpose: To determine the role that progressive spectacle lenses play in intraocular pressure compensation and stabilization of the glaucomatous process in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) combined with presbyopia and refractiveerrors.Material and methods. 29 patients (53 eyes) aged 43 to 67 years with I-II stage POAG and a certain type of refractive error were enrolled into study. All patients had intraocular pressure (IOP) compensated to the target level on medication. Patients of the main group (17 people, 32 eyes) used universal progressive spectacle lenses with optimized surface. The patients of the control group (12 people, 21 eyes) used separate monofocal glasses for near and distance vision as a method of ametropia correction. Visual acuity test, refractometry, pneumotonometry, tonography, automated static perimetry were applied for monitoring the patients. The measurements were taken before spectacle correction and a year after its prescription.Results. A decrease of IOP (p=0.01) and an increase of the aqueous humor outflow coefficient (p<0.01) were determined after one year use of the recommended type of vision correction in the main group, whereas in the control group there was an increased level of IOP (p<0.05) and a reduced aqueous humor outflow coefficient (p<0.2).Conclusion. The use of progressive spectacle lenses as a method of permanent vision correction reliably reduces IOP and improves the aqueous humor outflow in patients with early-stage POAG. The absence of negative visual field dynamics indicates the stabilization of the glaucomatous process.