Early detection of glaucoma with a newly developed method – practical healing

Glaucoma: Identify visual field defects in one minute

At glaucoma (glaucoma) damage to the optic nerve. Affected individuals suffer from visual disturbances that Face field restrict. Becomes a glaucoma Recognized and treated in time, any loss of vision can be stopped. Researchers now have a new method to early detection developed glaucoma.

Scientists at the Magdeburg University Medical Center want to significantly improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with glaucoma with a new approach in which visual field defects can be precisely identified within one minute. Their approach is reported in the specialist magazine “Journal of Clinical Medicinereported.

One of the most common causes of blindness

According to a recent Message From the Magdeburg University Medical Center, more than 800,000 people in Germany have been diagnosed with glaucoma and it is estimated that many more are affected by glaucoma without being recognized.

This disease is one of the most common causes of blindness. Early detection is essential to prevent lasting damage to the optic nerve. But how can diagnostics be further improved in the field of visual field measurement?

It was the central research question, who is the head of the research group Prof. Dr. Michael Hoffmann from the University Eye Clinic Magdeburg and his team.

In an efficacy study, scientists, led by Prof. Dr. Friedrich Hoffmann (Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin) and Fabian Müller (industry partner H & M Medical Solutions GmbH) developed rapid campimetry as a new screening method, with which visual field defects in glaucoma in less than a minute can be determined.

They worked together on the method and the results have now been published.

detect faults more easily

As explained in the press release, the field of vision describes the area that a person perceive visually can without moving his eyes or head. A field of view measurement also identifies areas where you cannot see.

This can then be used to identify which part of the retina or optic nerve may be diseased. So far this comes in the Diagnostic Among other things, standard automatic perimetry is used as a common standard subjective visual field test.

However, the disadvantage of this method is: “She only tests the visual field very randomly with faintly visible stimuli, which tires the patient. It affects reliability and the importance of the test procedure”explains Prof. Dr. Michael Hoffmann, who heads the Department of Clinical and Experimental Sensory Physiology in Magdeburg.

These problems could be solved by using faster test marks that systematically scan the field of view. “With the fast we use campimetry rapid movements and high contrast are incorporated into the central visual field examination to more easily detect defects.

The subjects’ central visual field was tested by moving a test mark was shown, systematically traversing the visual domains in less than a minute.

According to the information, the study data showed that the use of this method visual field defects could be detected that were not detected with conventional perimetry.

Wider use possible

With the success of the efficacy study, the method must now be systematically largest cohort scientifically verified in order to go from the laboratory to the patient as quickly as possible in the form of practical application.

According to Professor Dr. Michael Hoffmann would also be a long term wider use possible in the care of patients: “The method is also suitable for diagnosis as a telemedical procedure anywhere in the world, for example in rural areas.” (ad)