Pointwise linear regression for evaluation of visual field outcomes and comparison with the advanced glaucoma intervention study methods.

OBJECTIVE To investigate pointwise linear regression (PLR) for longitudinal evaluation of visual fields and to compare results with those of the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) criteria. METHODS We selected 509 eyes (401 patients) from the AGIS with 3 or more years of follow-up, 7 or more visual field examinations, and an AGIS reference score of 16 or lower. Visual field change at test locations was defined as a change of threshold sensitivity of 1 dB/y or higher and P<or=.01. Several sets of criteria were investigated for defining change of visual field series with PLR. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Progression or improvement of visual field series with PLR and AGIS criteria. RESULTS Mean (SD) follow-up time and baseline AGIS score were 7.4 (1.7) years and 7.7 (4.4), respectively. Pairwise agreement between AGIS and various PLR criteria ranged from 52% to 64% with the kappa statistic varying between 0.22 (95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.29) and 0.30 (95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.38). One hundred thirty-eight (27%) and 151 (30%) eyes progressed (85 eyes or 17% detected by both methods) while 72 (14%) and 11 (2%) eyes improved (5 eyes or 1% detected by both methods) based on AGIS and the most rigorous PLR criteria, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Based on rigorous, clinically relevant criteria, PLR detects progression in a similar proportion of eyes compared with AGIS criteria. Pointwise linear regression may be superior to AGIS methods since it identifies fewer visual field series as improving.