Standard testing, electrophysiology can work together for early glaucoma detection

In recent years, the approach to glaucoma care has begun to change. Earlier detection is enabling earlier treatment, resulting in greatly improved outcomes. There are many medical and surgical options available to treat glaucoma, but catching the disease as early as possible is what truly alters the whole disease course.Structural tests such as Humphrey visual field (HVF) and OCT provide valuable information, but electrophysiological tests of the retina and neurovisual pathways are objective tests that detect functional abnormalities. Studies have determined that pattern electroretinography (PERG) can detect abnormalities in patients up to 8 years earlier than structural testing. Additionally, because electrophysiological tests are objective, as opposed to subjective functional testing such as visual fields, the results are particularly reliable.