The Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III
Imaging of the optic nerve head, for patients who have glaucoma or are being observed for possible glaucoma, has traditionally been completed with optic nerve photography. The patient's optic nerve head is photographed at successive visits and the images compared for structural changes consistent with progression of glaucoma. This remains the standard of analysis. However, more recent technologies are being offered, and further studied, to determine their potential to detect glaucoma at an earlier stage.
The Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III (HRT3) uses scanning laser tomography to produce the 3-dimensional images, which allow precise measurements of optic nerve head parameters. This technology helps to differentiate between normal eyes and glaucomatous eyes even before visual field defects are present. In a recent study (OHTS Study) it was noted that changes could be detected up to eight years earlier.
The HRT3 is also a powerful tool for aiding in the diagnosis and management of retinopathies including Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), Cystoid Macular Edema (CME) and other retinopathies.