Heidelberg Retina Tomograph

The Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) is a proven, essential tool for detecting and managing glaucoma, especially for assisting in the identification of pre-perimetric disease and tracking progression. The aging population and rise in obesity are driving increased incidents of both age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The HRT Retina Module enables a fast, simple method of evaluating macular health without interpolating the data.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. It is a heterogeneous group of disorders marked by damage to the structural or functional integrity of the optic nerve that causes characteristic atrophic changes in the optic nerve. Over time, this may also lead to specific visual field defects. Damage can be arrested or diminished by adequate lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP). Yet, some debate still exists as to whether IOP should be included in the definition of glaucoma, as some subsets of patients can exhibit the characteristic optic nerve damage and visual field defects while having an IOP within the normal range.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the developed world. The primary cause is thought to be the premature dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a monolayer responsible for most of the maintenance functions of the neurosensory retina. AMD is the late stage of age-related macular disease (AMD). The early stages present with development of drusen and hyper-pigmentation or hypo-pigmentation of the RPE. Individuals in the late stage usually have severe vision loss and signs of choroidal neovascularization, sub-retinal hemorrhage, or geographic atrophy.

Images

Retinal Thickness

The retinal thickness measurements of the HRT Retina Module create a complete map of the scanned area without interpolating data. Compared to the Edema Index, Retinal Thickness maps may be more useful for tracking disease changes as therapy continues. The 3-D maps are helpful for showing and explaining retinal abnormalities to the patient.

Reflectance Map

The reflectance image is an additional tool on the HRT which helps to reveal retinal abnormalities. The reflectance image captures differences in the surface appearance of the retina and enables interpretation of both the Edema Index and the Retinal Thickness maps.

Retinal Edema Index

The Edema Index is a fast, easy method of detecting suspicious retinal areas that may not be readily apparent to the clinician even under careful contact lens examination. The HRT is designed to image retinal changes caused by minor accumulations of fluid. These changes often do not meet the definition of clinically significant macular edema, but may signal future problems. This information can be used to determine if patients should be followed more frequently.