Abstract
Purpose :
Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the quality of the iridocorneal angle images (ICA) provided by the NGS-1 automated gonioscope.
Methods :
Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated the automated gonioscopy performed with the NGS-1 automated gonioscope (NIDEK Co., Gamagori, Japan) in glaucomatous and normal patients. The automated gonio-photos were taken by optometrists for subsequent evaluation by two anonymous glaucoma specialists, who evaluated the sharpness of the images according to previous work by Murakami et al., the artifacts, the Shaffer's angle classification, and quality of the different angular structures and abnormalities from the photographs.
Results :
Results: A total of 8,576 images were included (4 photographs for each of the 16 areas of the 134-eye angle). One image per section of the angle was automatically chosen by the gonioscope and, therefore, 2,144 images of 67 patients were analyzed. The mean age of the patients included was 55 ± 19 years. Thirty-two patients were women (47.8%) and 35 (52.2%) were men. Of the total sample, 40.2% were eyes with glaucoma, 14.4% were eyes with ocular hypertension and 45.4% were healthy eyes. The analysis of image quality showed that the angular structures could not be seen in 20 eyes (14.9%) due to poor quality and poor cooperation of some patients. The superior area of the ICA is where the structures were best seen. In contrast, the worst images were of the inferior ICA. The artifacts identified were blurred areas, air bubbles and brightness. The morphological characteristics of the ICA and the procedures identified in the images obtained were: peripheral anterior synechia, abnormal iris processes, anterior embryo, trabecular mesh pigmentation, presence of the Sampaolesi line, blood vessels, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery implants, filtering surgeries and glaucoma drainage devices.
Conclusions :
Conclusion: Automated gonioscopy is an ICA analysis that stands out for its short capture time and good pdf file quality. It can be performed by non-medical staff and with a shorter learning curve than manual gonioscopy. It allows visualizing the degree of opening and the different pathological structures of the angle. It also makes it possible to analyze the functioning of previous glaucoma surgeries. Finally, it facilitates the learning process among non-glaucomatous specialists, since different angle structures can be examined.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.