[How to assess the stability of glaucoma? Optic nerve].
Exam of the optic nerve head and retinal nerve fibers is essential to firmly establishing whether glaucoma is stable. Stereoscopic examination of the optic disc (qualitative analysis) looks for modifications of the neuroretinal rim and of the cup, vascular modifications, and alterations of the retinal nerve fibers and of the peripapillary area. It can be usefully completed by photos. Although automatic analyzers (quantitative analysis) are clearly advantageous in the analyze of the retinal nerve fiber layers, they do not yet replace photographs or the clinical exam. In advanced stages of glaucoma, functional analysis is the most appropriate for assuring that the neuropathy is stable.
Renard
J-P
JP
Clinique Ophtalmologique, Hôpital du Val de Grâce, 74 boulevard de Port-Royal, 75 230 Paris Cedex 05.
D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D018450:Disease Progression; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology