Turkish Abstract Abstract PDF Similar Articles Mail to Author

¹İstanbul Üniversitesi İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi Göz AD., İstanbul, Uzm. Öğr.
²İstanbul Üniversitesi İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi Göz AD., İstanbul, Prof. Dr. Purpose: To evaluate reliability and reproducibility of central corneal thickness (CCT) measurement by ultrasonic pachymeter over time in experienced hands.
Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients with primary open angle glaucoma (PAAG) or ocular hypertension and 13 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. CCT was measured using an ultrasonic pachymeter (OcuScan™ Alcon, Inc, Irvine, California) by one observer, experienced in the technique, and get used with the same device for more than 6 months. Repeat readings were taken at consecutive outpatient visits over one month period.
Results: The mean time period between reading 1 and 2 was 30 days. The readings did not show significant difference over the 1-month period. Overall, the mean+SD CCT measurement in the right eye was 549+44.5 μm on the first visit and 540.5+44.3 μm on the second visit (p=0.9). The mean CCT in the left eye was 552+47.6 μm on the first visit and 552+46.6 μm on the second (p=0.9). Consecutive CCT measurements by ultrasonic pachymeter in both healthy subjects and patients with ocular hypertension or PAAG revealed no significant differences separately.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that CCT measurement by ultrasonic pachymeter is highly reliable, and that repeated measurements do not show variations over time in experienced hands. Keywords : Glaucoma, central corneal thickness, ultrasonic pachymeter