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Clinical Trial
. 1996 Nov;103(11):1889-98.
doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(96)30410-7.

Reproducibility of nerve fiber layer thickness measurements using optical coherence tomography

J S Schuman  1 , T Pedut-Kloizman, E Hertzmark, M R Hee, J R Wilkins, J G Coker, C A Puliafito, J G Fujimoto, E A Swanson
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Reproducibility of nerve fiber layer thickness measurements using optical coherence tomography

J S Schuman et al. Ophthalmology. 1996 Nov.

Abstract

Purpose: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new technology that uses near-infrared light in an interferometer to produce approximately 10-microns resolution cross-sectional images of the tissue of interest. The authors performed repeated quantitative assessment of nerve fiber layer thickness in individuals with normal and glaucomatous eyes, and they evaluated the reproducibility of these measurements.

Methods: The authors studied 21 eyes of 21 subjects by OCT. Each subject underwent five repetitions of a series of scans on five separate occasions within a 1-month period. Each series consisted of three circular scans around the optic nerve head (diameters, 2.9, 3.4, and 4.5 mm). Each series was performed separately using internal (fixation with same eye being studied) and external (fixation with contralateral eye) fixation techniques. The eye studied and the sequence of testing were assigned randomly.

Results: Internal fixation (IF), in general, provides a slightly higher degree of reproducibility than external fixation (EF). Reproducibility was better in a given eye on a given visit than from visit to visit. Reproducibility as measured by intraclass correlation coefficients were as follows: circle diameter (CD), 2.9 mm, 0.51/0.57 (normal/glaucoma) (IF), 0.43/0.54 (EF); CD, 3.4 mm, 0.56/0.52 (IF), 0.43/0.61 (EF); CD, 4.5 mm, 0.53/0.43 (IF), 0.42/0.49 (EF).

Conclusions: Nerve fiber layer thickness can be reproducibly measured using OCT. Internal is superior to external fixation; each circle diameter tested provides adequate reproducibility.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Optic nerve head photograph with three circles that depict regions scanned by optical coherence tomography. Innermost circle is 2.9 mm, center circle is 3.4 mm, and outermost circle is 4.5 mm.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Optical coherence tomographies corresponding to circles are shown. Notice thinning of the nerve fiber layer with increasing distance from the optic nerve head. The computer algorithm used to quantitate nerve fiber layer thickness summarizes the data by quadrant and by clock hour.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Stereoscopic optic nerve head photograph of a healthy individual.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Series of five optical coherence tomographies taken using a circle diameter of 3.4 mm on five separate occasions from the individual whose optic nerve head is shown in Figure 3.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Stereoscopic optic nerve head photograph of a glaucomatous eye.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Humphrey 24-2 visual field from the eye in Figure 5. Notice the visual field defect corresponding to the area of cupping.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Series of five optical coherence tomographies taken using a circle diameter of 3.4 mm on five separate occasions within a 1-month period demonatrates thinning of the nerve fiber layer corresponding to visual field loss. Notice consistency of optical coherence tomography measurements on this series of scans.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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