[Glaucoma diagnosis using scanning laser polarimetry].

Scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) is another technology for early glaucoma diagnosis. This technique (represented in the GDx from Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) is based on polarimetry and measures the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. Compared with previous instruments without customized corneal compensation, the variable corneal compensation technology enables improved differentiation between glaucoma and healthy eyes. Limitations are the atypical birefringence patterns that exist in some eyes, showing false high RNFL values. The newest software uses enhanced corneal compensation (ECC) technology to avoid these atypical patterns and to improve glaucoma diagnosis. Advantages of SLP include independence from drawing a contour line and a reference plane. Follow-up using SLP is limited, but with the use of the new ECC technology, trend and event analyses are possible. Long-term studies will determine the effectiveness of this method.