Correlation between CHA₂DS₂-VASc score and glaucoma treatment and prognosis

Purpose. To find if CHA₂DS₂-VASc scale can accurately predict the treatment, prognosis, and outcome for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Patients and methods. A survey of 250,000 patient years was taken, using the records of the Ophthalmology Department at Ziv Medical Center. Data was collected regarding the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), visual field (VF), line of treatment (LOT) of glaucoma, and all the data needed to accurately calculate CHA₂DS₂-VASc score for each patient. Results. Sixty-seven patients were included in the statistical analysis. The mean age was 72.5 years. The mean CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was 3.27 + -1.7. Positive Pearson's correlation coefficients were found for LOT and CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, 0.35, and for RNFL grade and CHA2DS2-VASc score, 0.37. The correlation was negative for RNFL width and CHA2DS2-VASc score, -0.35. Conclusions. CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was shown to be correlated with glaucoma. This correlation was manifested positively by the LOT needed to stop glaucoma progression, with higher CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores correlated with more aggressive treatment. Since glaucoma is a disease with a progressing nature, it is important to treat patients aggressively on one hand, while offering the most benign treatment as possible on the other hand. Modification of the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score could achieve an even higher correlation.