Impact of Glaucoma and Visual Field Loss on Life Space

Mobility refers to a person's purposeful movement through the environment from one place to another and can be conceptualized as a continuum from bed bound (immobility) on one extreme to making excursions to distant locations on the other extreme. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a chronic, progressive optic neuropathy that can lead to gradual loss of vision in the peripheral field and central vision. Older adults with POAG have an increased risk for motor vehicle collisions and falls. Moreover, existing studies suggest that patients with POAG exhibit more postural sway while standing as measured by a balance platform and also tend to walk more slowly than those who are normally sighted and free of ocular disease. While these disturbances likely influence mobility, there has been little research directly assessing the impact of POAG on mobility. This study will assess the impact of POAG on life space (one aspect of mobility) and will determine whether difficulties with life space are associated with difficulties experienced under conditions of dim lighting.

Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma * Best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better * Spherical refraction within ± 5 Diopters * Cylinder refraction within ± 3 Diopters Exclusion Criteria: * History of intra-ocular surgery other than uncomplicated cataract or glaucoma surgery * Significant cognitive impairment