To investigate the performance of scanning laser polarimetry and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy in glaucoma case finding

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Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerve is damaged, causing loss of vision. It is the commonest cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. It produces no symptoms until advanced, but abnormalities are detectable on examination from an early stage. However, there is no proven rapid test or combination of tests to screen for glaucoma. In the UK, many people undergo eye pressure measurement by an optician, but studies show that round 50% of glaucoma remains undetected in the community. Scanning laser polarimetry (GDx) and Heidelberg Retinal Tomography (HRT) are imaging devices used to diagnose & monitor glaucoma. Respectively, they measure the thickness of the nerve fibre layer near the optic nerve, and analyse the contour of the optic nerve with computer software. They have the advantage of being fast, objective, reproducible and can be carried out by a technician.This research aims to evaluate the combined use of GDx and HRT as screening tools for glaucoma. It will analyse existing data on residents of Norfolk. Many have undergone ophthalmological examination to determine if they have glaucoma or not. The practical application of the findings could be a more robust screening method, being able to identify those with glaucoma at an early stage.