Background: Glaucoma is defined as a progressive neuropathy of the optic nerve, characterized by specific changes of the optic disc, parapapillary region, and retinal nerve fiber layer.
Objectives: Characteristic glaucomatous changes of the optic disc, parapapillary region, and retinal nerve fiber layer are discussed and their ophthalmoscopic examination is described.
Materials and methods: A literature search in the PubMed database was conducted.
Results: A systematic step-by-step approach to a qualitative and quantitative ophthalmoscopic evaluation of the optic disc regarding glaucomatous damage is presented.
Conclusion: A systematic, clinical, qualitative, and quantitative assessment of the optic disc can be performed with little effort and forms the basis for diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.
Keywords: Diagnosis; Disc Damage Likelihood Scale; Ophthalmoscopy; Optic nerve; Optic neuropathy.