Authors' objectives:

The aim of this study is to summarise the available evidence on confocal laser scanning ophthalmoscopy (CLSO)/tomography for glaucoma.

Authors' results and conclusions: Although many trials have been carried out about its capacity to document incipient structural changes in the optic nerve head and NFLR, even in patients without campimetric alterations and normal intraocular pressure (NIP), up until now there has not been enough evidence to say that the use of CLSO with conventional diagnostic methods would improve the ability to predict development of visual defects. The impact on health results of the use of CLSO for the diagnosis and management of glaucoma patients has not been well documented. Consequently, an improvement in screening, diagnosis, follow-up, therapeutic decision making, or clinical results of its routine use on patients has not been demonstrated.

Authors' recommendations: Since there is not enough evidence that would allow to define the scope of this technology and outline precise indications, it is difficult to establish a selection criteria for patients who might be evaluated with CLSO. In fact, important international health maintenance organizations do not cover this technology. Bearing this in mind, and based on the analysis of reviewed studies, the use of CLSO could be considered in the following cases: - Patients with doubtful diagnosis, for example in the visual field without ocular hypertension. - Follow-up of certain patients with moderate optic nerve damage due to glaucoma. CLSO is not indicated to confirm a well settled diagnosis using conventional diagnostic methods. In the follow-up of patients with severe visual impairment for extensive NFLR, campimetry would detect slight changes better than CLSO.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.iecs.org.ar/

Year Published: 2003

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Argentina

Organisation Name: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy

Contact Address: Dr. Emilio Ravignani 2024, Buenos Aires - Argentina, C1414 CABA

Contact Name: info@iecs.org.ar

Contact Email: info@iecs.org.ar

Copyright: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS)