1. A method for characterizing a retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), the method comprising the steps of: calculating a value of a diagnostic parameter according to: 
 A ( R M ,θ M )= c ( R M ,θ M )× L ( R M ,θ M )× T ( R M ,θ M ); wherein: (R M , θ M ) are the polar coordinates of a measurement locus on a retina; A(R M , θ M ) is the value of said diagnostic parameter at said measurement locus; c(R M , θ M ) is a coefficient at said measurement locus; L(R M , θ M ) is the distance between said measurement locus and a base point; and T(R M , θ M ) is the RNFL thickness at said measurement locus; and comparing the calculated value of the diagnostic parameter to a reference range of the diagnostic parameter.