Retinal ganglion cell loss can now be detected early thanks to new algorithms for examining the Macular Ganglion Cell Complex (GCC) by SD-OCT. Current results show that macular GCC analysis can be an important complement to peripapillary RNFL thickness examination.
With this in mind, the 2013 Prize of the French Glaucoma Society was awarded to the study proposing a new index, the GCIPL (Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer) index, to measure the minimum thickness of the plexiform layer of inner ganglion cells, which can provide an important parameter for the early diagnosis of glaucoma and to monitor the progression of damage in the advanced stages of the disease.
As Jean-Paul Renard explains, the GCIPL index is based on the idea that "glaucoma-induced changes begin in the macula with a progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells". The GCIPL index, taken from 252 eyes with POAG (vs. 337 controls), was used in combination with OCT examination of the retinal nerve fibre layers and the outer retinal layers. These macular parameters were subsequently compared with the cpRNFL (Circumpapillary Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer) index of the optic disc. Maxime Delbarre, author of the study, emphasises that the GCIPL index has a very high diagnostic sensitivity in both the early and moderate and advanced stages of the pathology, even more significant than the cpRNFL index itself, especially during clinical monitoring.
See  J Fr Ophtalmol of April 2013
Dr. Carmelo Chines
Direttore responsabile
English 
Italian