What is Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL)? - Glaucoma Glossary

The RNFL is the innermost layer of the retina composed of the unmyelinated axons of the retinal ganglion cells that travel toward the optic nerve head.

What it means for the patient

This is the layer of delicate nerve fibers connecting your retina to your brain. Glaucoma attacks and thins these fibers directly. Measuring the thickness of this layer is one of the best ways to track your disease.

Clinical significance

Progressive generalized or focal thinning of the completely quantifiable peripapillary RNFL serves as the primary structural biomarker for evaluating therapeutic efficacy in mitigating continued glaucomatous damage.

How it is tracked

RNFL average and sector thicknesses (Temporal, Superior, Nasal, Inferior) are graphed longitudinally using Glaucoma One's structural curve plotting.