Structural and functional evaluations for the early detection of glaucoma

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The early detection of glaucoma is imperative for functional vision preservation. Utilizing both structural measurements and functional assessments together improve the capability of glaucoma detection. New testing methods are continuously developed with the goals of earlier disease detection and improvement of disease monitoring.

Areas covered: A comprehensive literature review on the relationship between structural and functional glaucoma measures and important recent technological advances in early glaucoma detection.

Expert commentary: Advancements utilizing optical coherence tomography have allowed the analysis of new structural parameters that can sensitively detect changes in optic nerve and retinal structures. More objective vision assessment methods have the potential to supplement and predict the results of standard automated perimetry. More research is necessary to understand the clinical utility of these advancements for glaucoma management.

KEYWORDS:

• Glaucoma
• OCT
• standard automated perimetry
• OCT angiography
• ganglion cell inner plexiform layer
• Bruch’s membrane opening
• lamina cribrosa
• frequency doubling perimetry
• flicker defined form perimetry
• multifocal visual evoked potential
• pattern electroretinography

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

Funding was received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Eye Institute and the National Institute of Health, grant numbers [R01-EY013178, R01-EY025011].