GDx VCC Glaucoma Detection

In 2006 David Spicer Optometrists acquired the Zeiss GDx VCC retinal nerve fibre analyzer. This is a sophisticated way to scan the retina for early signs of glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve caused by an imbalance between the pressure of the fluid inside the eye and the optic nerve’s abilty to withstand that pressure. If the pressure exceeds that that the nerve tissue can resist the nerve fibres will become damaged and cease to function. You have millions of nerve fibres in your optic nerve but if enough of them die then you will start to experience a loss of visual field, and if left untreated, you will lose sight altogether.

We can (and do) check for any sign of glaucoma in a number of ways:

  • Measure the intra-ocular pressure (IOP)
  • Assess the field of vision for any sign of loss
  • Assess the appearance of the optic nerve head (the disc)

Any of these can give an indication of glaucoma but none of them is definitive.

The GDx scans the retina around the disc to a look for any signs of thinning, and can give an indication of the early signs of glaucoma sooner than the traditional tests. The benefit of this is that we have referred for early treatment a number of people whose other signs were ambiguous, rather than waiting for more nerve damage to occur. For many others we have also saved the unnecessary worry and inconvenience of a visit to the Eye Hospital by establishing that their nerve fibre was healthy, despite possible suspicion arising from another finding. We recommend this procedure to everyone with an above-average risk of glaucoma (those with a close family history of the disease, or with high IOP, incomplete fields or cupped discs). It is not covered by NHS fees so there is a separate charge for this.