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Abstract #6395 Published in IGR 3-2
The Humphrey optical coherence tomography scanner: quantitative analysis and reproducibility study of the normal human retinal nerve fibre layer
Jones AI; Sheen NJL; North RV; Morgan JEBritish Journal of Ophthalmology 2001; 85: 673-677
BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine the reproducibility of the Humphrey optical coherence tomography scanner (OCT), software version 5.0, for measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in normal subjects, and to compare OCT measurements with published histological thickness of the human RNFL. METHODS: three independent measurements were obtained at each session for one eye from 15 normal subjects with a mean age of 30.8 (SD 10.9) years. Scans were taken in the peripapillary retina using the default setting (1.74 mm radius from the center of the optic disc) and were repeated one week later. Additional scans were obtained at the optic nerve head (ONH) margin overlying the scleral rim, for comparison with available histological data on the human RNFL. RESULTS: For the 1.74-mm circular scan, the mean coefficient of variation (COV) for the global RNFL thickness measurement was 5% (SD 3%). This increased to 8% (3%) for quadrant measurements and to 9% (3%) with further subdivision into 12 segments. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between sessions were only found when the data were divided into segments. Mean RNFL thickness for the 1.74-mm scan was 127.87 (9.81) μm. RNFL was maximal at the superior disc pole, 161.44 (14.8) μm, and minimal at the temporal pole, 83.1 (12.8) μm. Peak thickness values occurred superior temporal and inferior temporal to the vertical axis. RNFL thickness for every sector of the disc was greatest at the margin of the optic disc (mean 185.79 μm; SD 32.61). Although the variation in RNFL thickness around the disc follows published histology data, the OCT underestimates RNFL thickness by an average of 37% (SD 11; range, 21-48%). CONCLUSIONS: The OCT provides reproducible measurements of the retinal structures that are consistent with the properties of the RNFL. However, comparison with available studies of RNFL thickness in humans suggests that, in its present form, the OCT underestimates RNFL thickness. Further refinement of this technology is required to improve the accuracy with which the OCT measures RNFL thickness.
Mr J.E. Morgan, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Wales, College of Medicine, Health Park, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK. MorganJE3@cardiff.ac.uk
Classification:
6.9.2 Optical coherence tomography (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods > 6.9 Computerized image analysis)
