Here is an interesting write-up of a study from Israel that was presented at this year’s American Academy annual meeting. Of the 226 patients (mean age 73 years) referred, 40% of the OCT scans were classified as abnormal, with macular degeneration, epiretinal membrane, and vitreomacular traction all represented. Apparently, some 18 of these eyes had… Read More
OCT scans in monitoring glaucoma
This study examined over 4000 retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) OCT scans over a five year period of follow up in patients with glaucoma. Their findings confirm that progressive RNFL thinning (i.e. a change in optic nerve structure detected by OCT scans) can predict functional deterioration (i.e. progressive visual field loss) in glaucoma. This underscores… Read More
False positive OCT maps in healthy eyes of normal people
I am sometimes referred patients with abnormal ganglion cell maps or retinal nerve fibre layer thickness maps with a query of glaucoma. I often say to patients and optometrists that these analyses are based on normative data in the machine, and should always be combined with a good clinical opinion because they can be misleading.… Read More