The Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer: How William F. Hoyt Opened Our Eyes to It

Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) assessment based on optical coherence tomography has become an essential structural parameter in the evaluation of the visual pathway. Yet, it was the trailblazing efforts of one individual, William F. Hoyt, MD, who in the 1970s published a series of landmark reports, which lay the foundation for evaluating the RNFL. With the aid of a direct ophthalmoscope, red-free photographic techniques, and an inquisitive mind, Hoyt added an entirely new dimension to the importance of careful ophthalmoscopy. This article chronicles the discoveries and publications that allowed Hoyt and his coworkers to establish the importance of analysis of the RNFL.