[Diagnosis of glaucoma using retinal nerve fiber photography]

Clinical valuable retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) pictures are possible with every fundus camera when using the excitation or green filter. The conclusions follow by projection of the black-and-white print film. The more expensive production of paper prints is not always necessary for the judgement of the RNFL. RNFL-photography may facilitate the diagnosis and follow-up of optic nerve damages, especially the evaluation of eyes with an enlarged cup of the disk or of eyes with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) without visual field defects. The damage of RNFL can be diffuse or localized. Diffuse damaging is difficult to detect. Localized RNFL-defects may be either slit- or grove-like and will be found in the upper and lower temporal arcuate. Slit like defects may be seen in normal eyes, too. RNFL-photography allows additional information in glaucoma suspect eyes.