An evaluation of anticoagulation in glaucoma therapy.

It has been suggested that glaucomatous field loss may progress on the basis of ischemia of the optic nerve head alone after the intraocular pressure has been controlled. Bishydroxycoumarin (Dicumarol) has been reported to be of benefit in such situations. A review of 551 consecutive glaucoma records did not support this theory. Apparent progression of field loss at intraocular pressures of 20 mm Hg or less was either due to artifacts in field testing or to a pressure that was still too high. A pilot study suggested that bishydroxycoumarin was of no benefit in these situations.