One of the newer techniques for determining early damage from glaucoma is a scanning laser which functions much like a camera to take a digital photograph and thickness measurement of one of the layers of the retina called the nerve fiber layer. Within this layer are the nerve fibers which actually are the ones damaged from glaucoma. Thinning of the nerve fiber layer is what takes place as glaucoma damages the eye. Unfortunately, direct visualization of the nerve fibers is extremely difficult, if not almost impossible in many patients. By the time damage shows up at the optic nerve, many nerve fibers have been destroyed. Being able to evaluate the health of the nerve fiber layer and track any changes in its actual thickness gives us a real predictive advantage. It may warn us much earlier of damage which is invisible early on so that we can treat earlier or more aggressively. By the same token, it may help us differentiate patients who really do not have glaucoma but who we might be concerned about because of other findings in the eye exam. This helps us in avoiding unnecessary treatment.

The scan of the eyes, which is similar to having your photograph taken, requires only a few minutes and is completely safe. The information provided is independent of how well you feel that day, whether or not you have had enough sleep, or how rapidly you can respond to something. It does not require dilating the pupils, requires no prior preparation, and there is no effect on the vision. Once printed, your doctor will analyze the results and put them together with all the other information about your eyes to bring about more effective glaucoma management.

Our office has always strived to be a leader in providing the most up to date comprehensive care that is available. The nerve fiber layer analyzer is at the leading edge of technology, and this addition to our office has already been of great value to our glaucoma patients and others as well.

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