Authors
BITTON, ETTY OD, MSc, FAAO; KEECH, ADAM BSc; SIMPSON, TREFFORD DipOptom, PhD; JONES, LYNDON FCOptom, PhD, FAAO

Variability of the Analysis of the Tear Meniscus Height by Optical Coherence Tomography

publication date
March 26, 2007
Category
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Abstract/Introduction

Purpose

Tear meniscus height (TMH) is an established parameter indicative of tear film volume and has recently been determined using an optical coherence tomographer (OCT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inter and intra observer variability in TMH assessment using OCT.

 

Methods

Ten subjects (6 M, 4 F; aged 32.5 ± 6.4 years) had 10 consecutive scans taken of their inferior central tear meniscus (5 scans originating at 90° and 5 origination at 270°) using the OCT2 (Humphrey-Zeiss). Images were analyzed by two observers using custom software on three separate occasions. Following a training session among observers, the images were reevaluated to assess differences in variability. Data were analyzed for differences within and across examiners, for the effect of examiner training and between scan directions.


Conclusion/Results

Results

The mean TMH and tear volume collapsed across subjects were between 0.24 and 0.25 mm and 25 to 27 nL/mm, respectively. No difference was noted within observers. An interobserver mean volume difference (p = 0.044) was present but was eliminated post training (p = 0.167). Variability was less with scans originating at 90°.

 

Conclusions

The values of the TMH and tear volume are similar to those reported in the literature. Due to the interobserver differences observed, a training session between examiners may prove to be valuable, especially in a large or multicenter study.


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