A neurologist’s diagnostic menu might include Octopus perimeters in the future. According to a Translation Vision Science & Technology study, glaucoma is a brain disease.
With the Octopus 900, the Goldmann Perimeter moves into the computer age. Goldmann perimetry remains the most useful visual field test in patients with neurological defects, end stage glaucoma, or simply in cases where the static method fails.
The Octopus 900 is the true successor to the Goldmann Perimeter. It uses the same full 90 degree, 30cm bowl as well as the same stimulus sizes and light intensities.
As previously disabled optic nerve axons. that can lead to vision loss. recover the remaining areas of permanent visual loss in one eye coincide with the areas that can still see in the other eye.
The research team found that the visual field of the two eyes fit together like a jigsaw puzzle, resulting in much better vision with both eyes open than could possibly arise by chance.
“The extent and statistical strength of the jigsaw effect in conserving the binocular visual field among the clinical population turned out to be remarkably strong,” said Dr. William Eric Sponsel, the study’s lead author. “The entire phenomenon appears to be under the meticulous control of the brain.
Glaucoma and Alzheimer’s Linked
The study is the first to show how the human brain plays a vital role in pruning optical nerve axon cells. This process in glaucoma, known as apoptosis, is very similar to the same mechanism that operates in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, researchers found.
“Since glaucoma has much in common with other important neurodegenerative disorders, our research may say something generally about connections of other nerves within the brain and what controls their maintenance,” said Dr. Ted Maddess, coauthor of the study.
With the recent news of an eye test that can diagnose Alzheimer’s decades in advance, it might be time to buddy up with your local neurologist.
Dr. Fiona Rowe discusses the role of the Octopus with her neurological patients.
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