The AGIS (Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study) demonstrated that in patients with open-angle glaucoma, long-term visual field preservation is best achieved when mean IOP is maintained below which threshold?
- A Below 18 mmHg at all visits
- B Below 21 mmHg at all visits
- C Below 18 mmHg, with IOP never exceeding 18 mmHg at any visit ✓
- D Below 14 mmHg at all visits
Correct answer: C. Below 18 mmHg, with IOP never exceeding 18 mmHg at any visit
Explanation
The AGIS study found that patients with consistently low IOP (never exceeding 18 mmHg at any visit) had stable visual fields over 8 years. Patients who achieved this zero-fluctuation threshold had significantly less field loss than those with any visit exceeding 18 mmHg. This highlighted the importance of IOP fluctuation, not just mean IOP, in glaucoma management. Targets of 14 mmHg are used for normal tension glaucoma per the Collaborative Normal Tension Glaucoma Study.
Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.