PROGRESSION OF VISUAL-FIELD LOSS IN PATIENTS WITH RETINITIS-PIGMENTOSA OF SPORADIC AND AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE TYPES

Purpose: We examined the natural course of patients with retinitis pig mentosa of the eight sporadic and five autosomal recessive forms over 5 years. Methods: We measured the areas of the visual fields by Goldma nn perimetry using a digitizer and a computer software. Results: The v isual field of V-4 isopters in 4 sporadic cases was approximately 200 cm(2) during 30 years after the initial examination, but decreased dow n to 40 cm(2) in the next 10 years. The visual field was reduced to ha lf the normal field in 3 autosomal recessive cases early below the age of 25 years. In 4 sporadic and 2 autosomal recessive cases, the infer ior temporal visual field was the widest at the onset of the disease, but exhibited the most severe loss. The superior nasal area was the na rrowest initially, and showed the mildest progression. Conclusions: Th e visual field in retinitis pigmentosa is constricted age-dependently with severe loss of the inferior temporal visual area and mild damage to the superior nasal area.