Laser scanning tomography to diagnose and monitor glaucoma

Confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopes offer practical tools for clinical use to obtain quantitative information of the optic nerve head and peripapillary retina. These instruments acquire objective and quantitative data and can be used in many eyes with undilated pupils and cataracts. Further, they acquire images rapidly and with low-level illumination. Because of wide variability in optic nerve head topography among normal eyes, their usefulness may be limited as a single test for change in the optic nerve head and peripapillary retina. These instruments require validation through widespread use and correlation with other structural and functional tests.