Functional assessment of glaucoma.

Several studies have correlated the location of visual field defect on some of these newer tests to location of optic nerve damage with good results. In addition, there is an important and direct relationship between the psychophysical measures of visual function and location of damage. When a given individual had vision loss on more than one test, the same area of the visual field is affected. In addition, as soon as a repeatable defect is identified on perimetry, progression of the defect on later fields occurs within or adjacent to the initially identified area. These findings have significant implications for the care and follow-up of patients with glaucoma. Using these more sensitive tests has improved greatly our detection of early glaucomatous damage. Follow-up testing that concentrates the evaluation to areas already damaged should improve greatly our ability to identify true change from the significant physiologic variability present in glaucoma.