title: Utility of Heidelberg retinal tomography as a screening tool for analyzing retinal nerve fiber layer defects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although Heidelberg retinal tomography (HRT)-generated topographic images have been studied extensively for the detection of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects, little is known about the role of HRT-generated surface reflectivity images in the detection of RNFL defects in either patients with glaucoma or glaucoma suspects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of HRT version II (HRT II) optic nerve reflectivity images in uncovering RNFL defects in an outpatient population evaluated for glaucoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 102 consecutive eyes from 60 patients evaluated for glaucoma in an academic-based practice, HRT II optic nerve images were prospectively imaged and compared with clinical optic nerve exam techniques to see if HRT II was able to detect RNFL defects overlooked in clinical practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine eyes (8.8%) were found to have RNFL defects recognized by screening with HRT II. Of these nine eyes, eight (88.9%) were recognized to demonstrate RNFL defects by conventional examination techniques. One additional eye had an RNFL defect seen on physical exam that was not detected by HRT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In academic practice, HRT II may be helpful in complementing conventional exam techniques in the recognition and documentation of acquired RNFL loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Belyea
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Rashed N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Alhabshan
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Sankaranarayana P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Mahesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Gertner
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Mirsad M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ibisevic
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Abdullah S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Habib
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Jacob A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dan
keywords: HRT; RNFL defect; glaucoma; glaucoma suspect; optic nerve