Recent developments in the use of optical coherence tomography for glaucoma

Abstract

Purpose of review: The aim of this article is to summarize findings of recent reports highlighting the utility of novel optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters in the diagnosis and monitoring of glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Recent findings: Optic nerve head (ONH), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and macular parameters show high levels of diagnostic capability. The Bruch's membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) measurement is a novel ONH parameter obtained using the Spectralis SD-OCT device (Heidelberg Engineering, Inc., Heidelberg, Germany). The inferotemporal BMO-MRW sector shows the highest diagnostic performance for this parameter. Minimum ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer thickness shows the highest diagnostic performance among macular parameters obtained with the Cirrus HD-OCT (Carl Zeiss, Inc., Dublin, CA, USA). Optic nerve head, macular, and retinal nerve fiber layer parameters are not interchangeable across protocols generated by varying OCT manufacturers. Novel machine-learning algorithms show promise with regards to achieving higher levels of diagnostic accuracy using OCT imaging platforms.

Summary: Digital imaging in glaucoma continues to evolve with novel parameters of the optic nerve head, retinal nerve fiber layer, and macula. Diagnostic abilities of these parameters are high and complementary to each other.