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Comparative Study
. 2024 Jul 5;24(1):275.
doi: 10.1186/s12886-024-03536-0.

Comparison of the repeatability and reproducibility of corneal thickness mapping using optical coherence tomography according to tear film break-up time

Kan Lin #  1   2   3 , Zhiqiang Xu #  1   2 , Hui Wang  1   2 , Yuzhou Wang  1   2 , Linzhi Wei  1   2 , Hongqing Ma  1   2 , Jian Zhao  1   2 , Fan Lu #  4   5   6 , Liang Hu #  7   8   9
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Comparison of the repeatability and reproducibility of corneal thickness mapping using optical coherence tomography according to tear film break-up time

Kan Lin et al. BMC Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Background: To compare the repeatability and reproducibility of corneal and corneal epithelial thickness mapping using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) according to tear film break-up time (TBUT).

Methods: The included eyes were divided into three subgroups according to TBUT (group 1: TBUT ≤ 5 s, group 2: 5 s < TBUT ≤ 10 s, and group 3: TBUT > 10 s). All eyes were imaged separately thrice by two operators to obtain the thickness maps (TMs) of the cornea and corneal epithelium based on spatial zones encompassing a 9-mm-diameter area. Each TM consisted of 25 areas. Intraoperator (repeatability) and interoperator (reproducibility) standard deviations (Sws), coefficients of variation (CoVs), and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) among the tests were calculated and compared in all the areas.

Results: Altogether, 132 eyes of 67 subjects were included (50, 47, and 35 eyes in groups 1, 2, and 3; respectively). The ICCs of corneal epithelial thickness and corneal thickness were > 0.75 in most of the areas. Pairwise comparisons showed that AS-OCT exhibited lower repeatability in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.05). However groups 2 and 3 showed similar results. Sws and CoVs of corneal epithelial thickness exhibited no significant interoperator differences. While no significant differences were observed in corneal thickness in most of the areas.

Conclusions: TBUT significantly influences the repeatability of corneal and corneal epithelial thickness measurements. Poor tear film stability requires careful evaluation of corneal epithelial thickness.

Keywords: Corneal thickness mapping; FTBUT; Optical coherence tomography; Refractive surgery; Repeatability ande reproducibility.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Corneal epithelial thickness and corneal thickness values were obtained in all 25 areas encompassing a 9-mm-diameter zone
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Repeatability and reproducibility standard deviations (Sws) of corneal epithelial thickness in 25 areas. * Significant difference among the three groups(p < 0.05), **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001. # Significant difference between group 1 and group 2 in pairwise comparisons. & Significant difference between group 1 and group 3 in pairwise comparisons
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Repeatability and reproducibility coefficients of variation (CoVs) of corneal epithelial thickness in 25 areas. * Significant difference among the three groups(p < 0.05), **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001. # Significant difference between group 1 and group 2 in pairwise comparisons. & Significant difference between group 1 and group 3 in pairwise comparisons
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Repeatability and reproducibility standard deviations (Sws) of corneal thickness in 25 areas. * Significant difference among the three groups(p < 0.05), **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001. # Significant difference between group 1 and group 2 in pairwise comparisons. & Significant difference between group 1 and group 3 in pairwise comparisons
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Repeatability and reproducibility coefficients of variation (CoVs) of corneal thickness in 25 areas. * Significant difference among the three groups(p < 0.05), **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001. # Significant difference between group 1 and group 2 in pairwise comparisons. & Significant difference between group 1 and group 3 in pairwise comparisons
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