1. A method for detecting optic neuropathy in a subject, comprising: (1) generating at least one initial map selected from the group consisting of a macular map centered on the fovea using optical coherence tomography (OCT), wherein said initial map consists of a raster or grid scanning pattern covering an area at least about 6 mm×6 mm for said macular map; (2) constructing a map of a ganglion cell complex thickness based on said initial map; (3) computing a derivative map from said map of ganglion cell complex thickness; (4) applying a statistical pattern analysis method to said map of ganglion cell complex thickness or said derivative map to detect abnormal areas, wherein said statistical pattern analysis method comprises a standard deviation comparison of a point-by-point comparison in which a data point having a predetermined percentage value above or below normal is identified as abnormal, said predetermined percentage value is selected from the range from about 0.5% to about 5%; and (5) determining one or more diagnostic parameters based on one or more of said map of ganglion cell complex thickness, derivative map, or detected abnormal areas; wherein said diagnostic parameter is two selected from focal loss volume (FLV), global loss volume (GLV), fractional deviation focal loss volume (FD_FLV), pattern deviation focal loss volume (PD_FLV), pattern coefficient of variation (PCV), or pattern cross-correlation (PCC), and wherein one or more of said diagnostic parameters, map of ganglion cell complex thickness or derivative map is used to diagnose and differentiate different types of optic neuropathies.