Introduction

Glaucoma is a neuro-degenerative disease. The cells of the retina and optic nerve head damage and die usually as a result of high intraocular pressure. The examination of retina usually take place with direct or indirect ophthalmoscope and fundus camera in veterinary practice. There is a new tool in opthalmic diagnostic the optical coherence tomography (OCT). With this device we are able to examine all of the layers of the retina almost in histological level.

Objectives

Our goal is to introduce the importance of the OCT in the early diagnosis of glaucoma.

Methods

The principle of operation of the optical coherence tomography (OCT) is very similar to the ultrasound with one major difference, that in case of the OCT the physical wave originates from a special light source.

Results

In our study we used Fourier domain OCT. The examination was performed in anaesthesia. We examined 102 dogs. The age of dogs was between 3 weeks and 15 years old. We took OCT pictures at different stages of glaucoma. We observed the retinal thinning and ganglion cell layer thinning.

Conclusions

With optical coherence tomography we are able to detect fine lesions. This make possible to begin the therapy in time. The sooner we start the therapy the fewer cells get damaged or die in the ganglion cell complex.