Reversible Cupping and Reversible Field Defect in Glaucoma

Abstract

For the early diagnosis and the treatment of open-angle glaucoma it is very important to reveal the nature of the reversibility of field defect. The correlation between fundus and visual field change during 5 years in 42 cases of open-angle glaucoma was studied retrospectively and was analyzed stereoscopically and stereometrically. Reversible cupping showed no observable retinal nerve fiber layer defect and left no permanent field defect. Well defined wedge-shaped retinal nerve fiber bundle defect demonstrated permanent arcuate scotoma and large nasal step which showed no significant recovery. Narrow slit-like retinal nerve fiber layer defect showed small nasal step or small scotomata, however, they were unstable and intermittently disappeared. It should be recognized that the loss of optic nerve fibers can never recover, and leaves corresponding permanent field loss.