Tomography is put to the test

Researchers from the University of Aberdeen are to recruit nearly 1,000 patients for a study on the most effective diagnostic test for glaucoma.

Three diagnostic technologies - Heidelberg retina tomograph, scanning laser polarimetry and optical coherence tomography will be compared in the study which will seek evidence on how to best to use these tests.

Commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme, the research is led by Professor Augusto Azuara-Blanco: 'If one or more of the tests prove to be sufficiently accurate and easy to perform, people would not need to attend lengthy examinations in the hospital eye department in order to establish whether or not they have glaucoma. This would give ophthalmologists more time and resources to treat patients who do have eye diseases,' said Professor Azuara-Blanco.