The Use of Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography to Detect Glaucoma Progression

Abstract

Detection of progression and measurement of rates of change is at the core of glaucoma management, and the use of Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) has significantly improved our ability to evaluate change in the disease. In this review, we critically assess the existing literature on the use of SD-OCT for detecting glaucoma progression and estimating rates of change. We discuss aspects related to the reproducibility of measurements, their accuracy to detect longitudinal change over time, and the effect of aging on the ability to detect progression. In addition, we discuss recent studies evaluating the use of combined structure and function approaches to improve detection of glaucoma progression.

Association between Intraocular Pressure and Rates of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Loss Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography

“…13–15 The technology can provide quantitative and reproducible measurements of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), which have been shown to be helpful in the diagnosis and assessment of disease progression. 16, 17 The more recent introduction of spectral-domain (SD) OCT has enhanced the resolution, decreased scan acquisition time, and improved reproducibility compared to older versions of the technology.…”

What rates of glaucoma progression are clinically significant?

“…Despite being patient-dependent and subject to considerable test-retest variability [2-5], visual field (VF) testing using standard automated perimetry remains a gold standard for measuring glaucoma progression. However, increasingly sophisticated imaging technologies, such spectral domain and swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT), are being utilized to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the rate of structural change [6-14]. …”

Identification of the Most Accurate Spectral-domain Optical Coherence Tomography Parameters in Eyes With Early High-Tension and Low-Tension Glaucoma

“…11 The RTVue-100 (Optovue Inc., Fremont, CA), one of the commercially available SDOCT devices, has a scan rate of 26,000 A-scans per second and an axial resolution of 5 mm. 14,15 The high scanning speed of the RTVue enables the acquisition of a greater number of scans in a single imaging session compared with time-domain OCT, reducing the need for data interpolation and motion artifacts. 14,15 Different studies have previously shown that some structural and functional features of eyes with low-tension glaucoma (LTG) may differ from those with high-tension glaucoma (HTG).…”

“…14,15 The high scanning speed of the RTVue enables the acquisition of a greater number of scans in a single imaging session compared with time-domain OCT, reducing the need for data interpolation and motion artifacts. 14,15 Different studies have previously shown that some structural and functional features of eyes with low-tension glaucoma (LTG) may differ from those with high-tension glaucoma (HTG). [16][17][18] For example, one can cite a greater prevalence of focal neuroretinal rim loss and central VF involvement in LTG eyes.…”