Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate reliability of endothelial specular microscope based on the number of counted cells.
Methods: :
Retrospective study of 61 endothelial specular microscope image (Konan®, non-contact NONCON ROBO-CA Specular Microscope) of normal human individuals (63.81±8.04 years old) was analyzed statistically using Cells Analyzer©- Corneal Endothelial Statistical Lab (Technicall®, Brazil). Each image was submitted to standard cell counting. All endothelial cells were center-marked by the same examiner. 40 cells were counted in study group 1; 100 cells were counted in study group 2; and 150 cells were counted in study group 3. In study group 4, the number of counted cells was determined by the statistical analysis software in order to achieve the most reliable clinical information. The lack of reliability of each image was measured by the relative error (RE) for each study group using statistical software Cells Analyzer©. Right eye (OD) and the left eye (OS) were analyzed separately.
Results: :
All specular microscope images showed average cell counting within the normal standards shown in the table. The average and standard deviation of counted cells in Group 4 was 418.35±98.45. Group 1, 2 and 3 did not showed reliable information regarding the average cell density (RE>5%), however, group 4 showed reliable information (RE<5%) (Table). There was no statistical difference between OD and OS (p>0.05) for all samples.
Conclusions: :
The number of counted cells has a direct relation with the reliability of the endothelial cell density. Our data showed that endothelial cell density in specular microscope was statistically reliable when the examiner counted in average of 418.35 cells.
Keywords: cornea: endothelium • imaging/image analysis: clinical