Future technologies for glaucoma diagnosis

The next 40 years is likely to see advances in the diagnosis of glaucoma using technologies that are now in their infancy

Future technologies for glaucoma diagnosis
Roibeard O’hEineachain
Roibeard O’hEineachain
Published: Monday, December 14, 2020
David Garway-Heath MD
The next 40 years is likely to see advances in the diagnosis of glaucoma using technologies that are now in their infancy, said Prof David F. Garway-Heath, UCL NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. “The future is exciting, with advances in miniaturisation and mobile technology, advances in perimetry and imaging, machine learning to better interpret the data from these devices, and also in developing biomarkers to identify patients with glaucoma or more susceptible to glaucoma,” Prof Garway-Heath told the 14th European Glaucoma Society Congress. He noted that records going back 30 years show a consistent pattern of a portion of cases being missed until they are at a late stage of disease, showing the need for better case-finding. New approaches under investigation in case-finding include the use of technology to measure functional changes through observation of patients’ gaze behaviour, and portable binocular OCT devices. Other approaches include the use of biomarkers, which might enable the detection of glaucoma with a blood-test. In terms of diagnosis, advances are in progress in the stimuli used in perimetry devices, which may be more specific in identifying glaucoma. The coming decades are also likely to see more precision in the correlation between structural changes and functional changes in glaucoma. The current advances in software processing for imaging devices are also likely to continue, enabling clearer visualisation of changes in the optic nerve head. Some of the new technologies now for the diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma include metabolic imaging, with two-photon imaging with an ultrafast pulsing laser that can target particular molecules in the retina, new means of detecting mitochondrial dysfunction as a biomarker for glaucoma susceptibility and many new approaches to visual function testing, such as the use of virtual reality.
Latest Articles
ESCRS Today 2025: Happy Anniversaries!

ESCRS celebrates milestones with pioneers in IOLs, LASIK, femtosecond lasers, and corneal transplantation.

Read more...

ESCRS Today 2025: A Congress for Everyone

From YOs to families, the ESCRS Annual Meeting embraces full participation through inclusivity.

Read more...

ESCRS Today 2025: All Eyes on Innovation

Watching out for obstacles and opportunities

Read more...

Beyond the Numbers

Empowering patient participation fosters continuous innovation in cataract surgery.

Read more...

Thinking Beyond the Surgery Room

Practice management workshop focuses on financial operations and AI business applications.

Read more...

Aid Cuts Threaten Global Eye Care Progress

USAID closure leads retreat in development assistance.

Read more...

Supplement: ESCRS Clinical Trends Series: Presbyopia

Read more...

Debate: FS-LASIK or KLEx for Hyperopia?

FS-LASIK has more of a track record, but KLEx offers advantages.

Read more...

Four AI Applications Ready for Practice

Commercial offerings may save time, improve practice and research.

Read more...

Perioperative Medication Regimens for Cataract Surgery

Randomised controlled clinical trial results provide evidence-based guidance.

Read more...