A groundbreaking new tool, The Glaucoma Field Defect Classifier (GFDC), developed by eye specialists at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, could transform glaucoma diagnosis and help change the way its managed worldwide
The Glaucoma Field Defect Classifier (GFDC) is a web-based application that accurately classifies the severity of glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, the crucial link between the eye and the brain. Often linked to a buildup of pressure within the eye, glaucoma can gradually lead to vision loss if left untreated.
Here is what Johns Hopkins Medical has to say about glaucoma:
- Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness.
- Three million people in the United States and 80 million people worldwide have glaucoma.
- Glaucoma is known as the “silent blinder” because there are no noticeable symptoms in the early stages.
- Early detection and treatment for glaucoma are the most important steps to prevent vision loss.
- Family history, especially a sibling relationship, is a risk factor for glaucoma.
- Eye pressure is the only known modifiable risk factor for glaucoma and is the target of current treatment regimens.
Glaucoma diagnosis and treatment
Glaucoma is notoriously challenging to diagnose and monitor, with current methods often time-consuming and subjective. The GFDC offers a precise and efficient alternative, enabling doctors to quickly determine the stage of the disease and tailor treatment accordingly.
Developed by Dr Nikhil Jain and former student Dr Arun Thirunavukarasu, the tool has already gained international recognition, with presentations at major ophthalmology conferences and publications in a leading medical journal.
Dr Nikhil Jain explains, “Determining if patients have mild, moderate, or severe disease is difficult and evaluating visual fields is time-consuming, subjective, and ambiguous.” The GFDC offers a precise and efficient alternative, enabling doctors to quickly determine the stage of the disease and tailor treatment accordingly.
Making easier glaucoma diagnosis available to clinicians and researchers worldwide
The GFDC is freely available to clinicians and researchers worldwide, demonstrating a commitment to sharing knowledge and advancing glaucoma treatment. This breakthrough is part of a wider wave of innovation at Addenbrooke’s, with another pioneering development, the Neocam cataract test, currently undergoing national trials.
These advancements underscore the hospital’s dedication to improving eye health and highlight the potential for technology to revolutionize patient care.
“We are incredibly proud of the work that Dr Jain and Dr Thirunavukarasu have done,” said Professor Bourne. “Their innovation is a testament to the talent and dedication of our team at the Cambridge Eye Research Centre.”
