Abstract
Introduction: :
Precise measurement of the different components of the anterior segment and cornea is becoming ever more important. Scheimpflug camera has been proposed to evaluate the anterior segment from the anterior corneal surface to the posterior capsule of the lens. Although this method is currently on the market (Pentacam system) little is known about its test–retest
Methods: :
Inter and intra–observer reliability was assessed on 80 subjects (mean age: 47,36 +/– 12,56). Patients with corneal scarring or thinning were excluded as well as patients who underwent intraocular surgery. Two opthtalmologists took two Scheimpflug images on each subject within 10 minutes. Corneal radii (astigmatic power and axis), pakimetry, anterior chamber depth, angle width and lens density measured by the different observers were correlated using the Coen and the Pearson methods.
Results: :
Good agreement within and between observers was evident when pakimetry, anterior chamber depth, angle width and corneal density were analyzed (r2>0.6; p<0.01). Poorer correlation were demonstrated when the power and the axis of the astigmatism were considered.
Conclusions: :
Pentacam is a suitable method for the analysis of the anterior segment, but improvement is needed as far as corneal curvature is considered.
Keywords: imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • anterior chamber • astigmatism