Articoli Scientifici di Oftalmologia
Argomento : 1
Technologies for Analyzing the Optic Disc, RNFL, and Macula
Optical Coherence
Tomography
By Lindsey S. Folio, BSc; Gadi Wollstein, MD; and
Joel S. Schuman, MD
Glaucoma can be characterized as a slowly progressing
optic neuropathy that damages the retinal
ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons. This
damage causes thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer
(RNFL), leads to cupping of the optic nerve head (ONH),
and usually results in observable visual field loss. Because
glaucomatous damage is irreversible, early detection is
crucial for effective treatment through medical or surgical
methods to halt further progression and preserve functional
vision.
Studies have shown that up to half of the
RGCs could be damaged before defects are reported on
the visual field.1 A more resolute, objective method of
identifying glaucoma is therefore needed for at-risk
patients.