Heidelberg Retinal Tomagraphy (HRT II)
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. The disease usually progresses without any symptoms, and it is estimated that three million Americans may be unaware that they have the disease.
The Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph assists in diagnosing and monitoring glaucoma, as well as some retinal diseases. There is no discomfort with the test, and it usually takes less than 15 minutes. The retinal tomograph provides information about the nerve fiber layer of the retina. Defects in the nerve fiber layer may be one of the earliest signs of glaucoma, and occurs prior to visible changes in the optic nerve.
Since early detection is imperative for the preservation of patients’ vision, retinal tomography is essential in the diagnosis and treatment of our glaucoma patients.
The test is usually repeated yearly and helps the physician assess if changes are occurring in the nerve fiber layer or the optic nerve head. These changes almost always occur prior to any visual symptoms the patient may experience.
Obviously, it is our goal to prevent patients from ever losing vision from glaucoma. Therefore, Heidelberg Retinal Tomography will be performed as an aid in the detection of glaucomatous changes of the optic nerve head and/or nerve fiber layer.