Modern Trends In Early Diagnosis Of Open Angle Glaucoma

Abstract

The primary open angle glaucoma is a disease of insidious onset and it is very difficult to diagnose in the early stages. The glaucomatous damage to the ganglion cells may occur before the disease can be identified by visual field testing. The visual field testing is usually done by the standard automated perimetry by 24-2 or 30-2 programs on the Humphrey field analyzer, but it is not satisfactory because it depends on subjective patient response. The examination of the patient by the conventional ophthalmoscope continues to be limited by our inability to accurately and precisely assess the structural appearance of the optic disc. The main objective in early diagnosis of glaucoma is to detect the earliest damage. With this aim, several methods have been suggested to evaluate the earlier structural and functional changes in glaucoma. Diagnosis ofPOAG depends on: 1- Early detection of glaucomatous optic nerve and NFL atrophy by new methods that examine the optic nerve blood flow. 2- Early detection of functional losses by various new technologies in perimetry. 3- Screening as it is very important to find glaucoma before serious damage occurs.