Emerging technologies open new horizons in glaucoma structural evaluation, management

Technological evolution, with optical coherence tomography in the forefront, is gradually but radically changing the diagnostic and management approach to glaucoma. Earlier detection of structural changes allows prediction of functional consequences and quantification of progression.“The physiological structure-function relationship is beyond question and the basis for glaucoma management; however, the available technologies to assess either aspect are far from perfect. Current developments suggest that the threshold for detecting damage might be lower in structural imaging than in standard automated perimetry,” Herbert Reitsamer, MD, said. “The impact of structural documentation on therapy decisions has not been so great in the past but will become increasingly important with the high specificity and sensitivity of emerging technologies.”