Clinical evaluation of scanning laser polarimetry: I Intraoperator reproducibility and design of a blood vessel removal algorithm

Abstract

The intraoperator reproducibility of retardation values obtained with the scanning laser polarimeter is satisfactory for its use as a clinical tool. The use of a blood vessel removal algorithm improves the reproducibility of the measurements and also assists the clinician in the interpretation of the polar profiles. Furthermore, it allows the construction of normal database polar profiles, thereby enabling the identification, location and quantification of retinal nerve fibre layer damage in an "at risk" individual's polar profile.