Reproducibility, Repeatability, and Correlation of Central Corneal Thickness Measurement with the Pentacam Scheimpflug System and Ultrasound Pachymetry | Reproduzierbarkeit, Wiederholbarkeit und Korrelation der zentralen Hornhautdickenmessung mit dem Pentacam-Scheimpflug-System und Ultraschall-Pachymetrie Academic Article in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • © 2022 Georg Thieme Verlag. All rights reserved.Background/Aim: The importance of an accurate determination of central corneal thickness (CCT) relies on its diagnostic and therapeutic implications in glaucoma, corneal ectasias, corneal edema and endothelial function monitoring, refractive surgery suitability, among others. We aimed to analyze the repeatability, reproducibility, correlation, and laterality variations of CCT measurements performed with the Pentacam-HR and the standard-of-care ultrasound A-scan (USP). Methods: A cross-sectional study including CCT measurements of healthy individuals performed by three independent examiners with the Pentacam-HR and USP was conducted. Intra-observer and inter-observer variations were calculated with intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). Bland-Altman plots and 95% limits of agreement (95% LoA) were used to assess the agreement between devices. Linear correlation was calculated with Pearson's coefficient. Results: Thirty individuals (60 eyes), 10 (33.3%) men, and 20 (66.6%) women with a mean age of 30.0+9.1 years were studied. No statistical differences were found in CCT measurements between Pentacam-HR (range 500-609¿m) and USP (range 498-628¿m). There was a high degree of correlation in repeatability and reproducibility of each independent device (ICC>0.90). Pearson's correlation between 1 vs. 2, 2 vs. 3, and 3 vs. 1 Pentacam-HR attempts were 0.914, 0.958, and 0.925, respectively (p<0.001). Corresponding results for USP were 0.957, 0.957, and 0.943 (p<0.001). The Pentacam-HR tended to overestimate CCT by a mean difference of 3.77¿m (95% LoA,-24.9-18.4). Right eyes were also overestimated (-3.6+14.1¿m) with the Pentacam-HR device, whereas left eyes were underestimated (1.3+11.1 ¿m). Conclusions: The Pentacam HR device provides reliable operator independent CCT estimates. Right eyes presented an overestimation tendency with the Pentacam HR. We suspect such difference is due to USP underestimation related to patients' position while performing the study. In clinically relevant scenarios, performing a third measurement and cautiously measuring right eyes can provide higher accuracy.

publication date

  • January 1, 2022