Affiliation:
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Mass Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts
2. Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Durham, North Carolina
Abstract
Purpose of review
The purpose of this review is to examine contemporary techniques for detecting the progression of glaucoma. We provide a general overview of detection principles and review evidence-based diagnostic strategies and specific considerations for detecting glaucomatous progression in patients with mild, moderate and severe disease.
Recent findings
Diagnostic techniques and technologies for glaucoma have dramatically evolved in recent years, affording clinicians an expansive toolkit with which to detect glaucoma progression. Each stage of glaucoma, however, presents unique diagnostic challenges. In mild disease, either structural or functional changes can develop first in disease progression. In moderate disease, structural or functional changes can occur either in tandem or in isolation. In severe disease, standard techniques may fail to detect further disease progression, but such detection can still be measured using other modalities.
Summary
Detecting disease progression is central to the management of glaucoma. Glaucomatous progression has both structural and functional elements, both of which must be carefully monitored at all disease stages to determine when interventions are warranted.
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Subject
Ophthalmology,General Medicine