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Ординатура / Офтальмология / Английские материалы / Glaucoma An Open Window to Neurodegeneration and Neuroprotection_Nucci, Cerulli, Osborne_2008.pdf
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C. Nucci et al. (Eds.)

Progress in Brain Research, Vol. 173

ISSN 0079-6123

Copyright r 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

CHAPTER 9

Scanning laser polarimetry and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy: technical notes on their use in glaucoma

Felicia Ferreri , Pasquale Aragona and Giuseppe Ferreri

Section of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico G. Martino,

Messina, Italy

Abstract: The mere intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement and the visual field (VF) examination do not allow early primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) diagnosis. At present, the morphological and morphometric analysis of the optic disk is considered very important for an early diagnosis and followup of the disease. The recent introduction of laser systems equipped with new polarimetry techniques (GDx) and confocal tomography (HRT) allows an objective, quantitative, and reproducible evaluation of the morphometry and morphology of the optic disk and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). The GDx, scanning laser polarimetry, studies the RNFL. The HRT, confocal scanning laser tomography, examines several optic disk and peripapillar area parameters. These devices allow obtaining objective and quantitative data concerning RNFL and optic nerve head. They represent complementary and important examinations in case of uncertain POAG diagnosis. The correct evaluation of the parameters studied by these techniques and the knowledge of the instruments’ limits are needed for an adequate interpretation of the results obtained.

Keywords: GDx; HRT; primary open-angle glaucoma; laser polarimetry; confocal scanning laser polarimetry

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a progressive chronic optic neuropathy characterized by optic nerve head and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) morphological alterations, induced by ganglion cells death with consequent visual field (VF) loss.

POAG, the most frequent type of glaucoma (Klein et al., 1992), has controversies about pathogenetic, diagnostic, and therapeutic issues. Classically, the POAG diagnosis is based on the

Corresponding author. Tel.: 0902213958; Fax: 0902212400; E-mail: fferreri@unime.it

triad: ocular hypertension, VF damage, and optic nerve atrophy. Clinical evidence show that hypertension on its own is not sufficient to determine the glaucomatous damage, but other factors of different nature may be involved in causing the diseases. Therefore, the ocular pressure can be considered as a risk factor for developing POAG (Quigley et al., 1999). VF damage, studied by standard automated perimetry (SAP), is the sign of the ganglion cells damage, but it becomes evident when 30% of the RNFL is damaged (Quigley et al., 1982).

The mere intraocular pressure (IOP) measure and the VF examination do not allow achieving an

DOI: 10.1016/S0079-6123(08)01109-6

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