Abstract
Purpose: :
To demonstrate the usefulness and reproductibility of a new method for graphic representation of gonioscopic findings.
Methods: :
This is a prospective, descriptive, transversal and observational study. Patients with clear cornea, without contraindication for gonioscopy, older than 18 years of age were included. Briefly, this method is as follows: 3 concentric circules (pupil border, iris insertion and Schwalbe line) are divided into quadrants; symbols for clinical findings (pigmentation, iris processes, sinechiaes, neovessels, angule recession, and blood) are used. Two phases were required: phase one independent double blind registration of gonioscopic findings from a same patient by two physicians. Phase two interpretation of graphics by other physician without clinical evaluation of the patient. Physicians of phase one got together in order to evaluate their results with McNemar Test and compared them with the interpretation of physician of phase two. Concordance of percentage of type, number and location of findings were done.
Results: :
Thirty eight eyes from 19 patients were evaluated. The most common findings were: iris processes , sinechiaes and pigmentation. During phase one all findings achieved statistically significant concordance except processes in superior, inferior and temporal quadrants. During phase two concordance according to clinical findings was 92% (35/38 eyes). According to location and number of lesions the concordance was 100%.
Conclusions: :
Findings recorded in this new goniogram are easy to interpretate and are reproductable by clinicians. This method is an easy way to standardize the registration of gonioscopic findings.
Keywords: clinical research methodology • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques • detection