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PRCIS: This case-control study investigated the effect of atrial fibrillation (AF) on the progression of glaucoma. The presence of AF and related microvascular damage was associated with a slightly faster visual field loss in glaucoma patients. PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of atrial fibrillation (AF) on glaucoma progression. METHODS: In this longitudinal case-control study, a total of 144 eyes from 105 patients with primary open angle glaucoma were included. Forty-eight eyes of case developed AF during the follow-up followed for 15.6 years. Ninety-six eyes of control that did not have AF at baseline or during follow-up matched for age, baseline glaucoma severity, and follow-up period were followed for an average of 14.7 years. Mixed-effects linear models were used to calculate the difference in the VF MD slopes before and after the AF. CHADS 2 and CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc scores were used to evaluate the risk of thrombosis event, and related microvascular damage was assessed based on these scores. RESULTS: The rate of VF MD change was -0.20 (-0.42 to 0.02) dB/y before AF and -0.28 (-0.47 to -0.09) dB/y after AF for the patients with AF, and -0.21 (-0.25 to -0.17) dB/y for the control. In the multivariable models, the VF slope difference before and after the onset of AF [-0.10 (-0.14 to -0.05) dB/y, P <0.001], higher CHADS 2 score [-0.07 (-0.13 to 0.00) dB/y per 1 unit, P =0.040], and higher CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score [-0.05 (-0.10 to 0.00) dB/y per 1 unit, P =0.039] were associated with faster VF MD loss. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of atrial fibrillation and related microvascular damage might accelerate visual field loss. This underscores the need for a comprehensive medical history and management of cardiovascular risk factors to mitigate increased VF loss in glaucoma.
Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Glaucoma Center, Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA.
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