Utility of Heidelberg Retina Tomograph in Monitoring Glaucoma Progression

Glaucoma is a chronic disease defined by characteristic changes in the optic nerve associated initially with loss of peripheral vision and is treated by lowering intraocular (inside the eye) pressure. It has been reported that noticeable changes to the optic nerve caused by glaucoma may occur several years before changes in vision are noticed. Since changes to the optic nerve and other eye structures due to glaucoma are irreversible, it is important to develop tools for the earliest possible detection of changes due to glaucoma. The Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) is a device that is used to produce a three-dimensional map of the optic nerve and retina, and can be used to detect changes in the optic nerve and retina over time. In previous studies, it has been shown to be useful for the detection of changes due to glaucoma. However, the HRT when compared to other techniques to evaluate the optic nerve such as stereophotography, was found to only somewhat agree. The current study will compare HRT to stereophotography to determine how good each one is at looking and documenting changes in the optic nerve over time due to glaucoma. Using HRT to initiate early topical medication or to change management requires knowing how well HRT results predict the development of visual loss. Accordingly, the results of this study may affect the management of glaucoma patients by optimizing the follow-up of people with this condition and by initiating appropriate and more individualized treatments. Early treatment is crucial for preventing further visual loss in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension (high pressure inside the eye).