BJO at a glance
CAUTION CONCERNING SCANNING LASER POLARIMETRY
Scanning laser polarimetry is designed to assess the peripapillary nerve fibre layer thickness in vivo. In experimental and clinical studies its ability to provide quantitative reproducible measurements of the retinal nerve fibre layer has been demonstrated. However, concern has been raised as to whether it is accurate in assessing the retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in nasal and temporal regions. Monteiro and coworkers studied 19 eyes of 17 patients with band atrophy of the optic nerve and temporal hemi defects due to chiasmal compression. Scanning laser polarimetry was able to identify axonal loss in the superior, inferior, and nasal regions but failed to detect it in the temporal region of the optic disc despite this area showing clear band atrophy. Moreover, the authors found there was poor sensitivity to detect axonal loss in the nasal region when the GDx software analysis was used. The authors caution the interpretation of laser polarimetry studies of the nasal and …
