|
Additional information about the GDx Nerve Fiber
Analyzer
Unlike existing technologies, GDx provides a rapid, objective
and accurate evaluation of the eye because it measures the site
of glaucoma damage, not just a symptom of the disease (such as
failing a visual field exam).
The GDx analyzer provides immediate answers ( less than 3
minutes for both eyes), and doesn't require dilation. The
actual time spent in acquiring data (taking a snapshot of your
eye) is less than 3/4 of a second.
Measurements are automatically compared to normative data for
your age/sex/race. This data is specific not just to your eye as
a whole, but is specific to each of the 4 quadrants of each
eye.
The patented technology used by the GDx uses a near infra-red
laser to double pass the retinal nerve fiber layer. It is then
split into two parallel rays by the birefringent fibers of your
eye. The two rays travel at different speeds and this difference
(called retardation) directly correlates to the layer thickness.
This is what is being measured.
During this incredibly fast laser measurement, 65,536 points
are measured in a full 15 degree field. Actual measurements are
available for each and every point. Only GDx can provide this
measurement of the nerve fiber layer.
The printout of the exam provides your doctor with a detailed
report of your retinal nerve fiber layer. It provides a
color-coded thickness map along with key parameter to compare you
with a normative database.
A neural network is used by the software to consider hundreds
of parameters obtained when the image is acquired. It then
assigns a number between 0 and 100. The higher the number, the
higher the probability a patient has glaucoma.
The GDx has the ability to do serial analysis, which allows
your doctor to track disease progression over time as exams are
repeated. Because of this, treatments your doctor may prescribe
may be monitored for their effectiveness.
The GDx is the only exam to directly measure the tissue
affected by glaucoma.
|
