The Disc at Risk – Page 29 of 47

Excerpt from “Direct Ganglion Cell Assessment with the RTVue by Optovue: The Ganglion Cell Complex Analysis” by Mike Sinai, Ph.D.

Retinal ganglion cells encompass three layers in the retina:

1. The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) is made up of the ganglion cell axons
2. The ganglion cell layer (GCL) is made up of the ganglion cell bodies
3. The inner-plexiform layer (IPL) is made up of the ganglion cell dendrites.

• All three layers, collectively known as the ganglion cell complex (GCC), become thinner as the ganglion cells die.
• The RTVue directly measures the thickness of these three layers and provides a unique analysis of the percent loss of these layers compared to an extensive normative database.
• The results are presented as significant loss from normal (Significance) in order to aid in the clinical interpretation.