Clinical agreement among glaucoma experts in the detection of glaucomatous changes of the optic disk using simultaneous stereoscopic photographs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical agreement in the detection of optic disk changes in patients with glaucoma using simultaneous stereophotographs.


METHODS
Masked-observer variability study.


METHODS
Ten glaucoma specialists examined pairs of simultaneous stereophotographs of glaucomatous and control optic disks to determine whether there were changes compatible with progression of glaucomatous damage.


RESULTS
Intraobserver agreement had a kappa value ranging from 0.55 to 0.78. Interobserver agreement among the glaucoma specialists had a kappa value ranging from 0.34 to 0.68.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical examination of stereophotographs to detect optic disk changes in glaucoma patients has limitations associated with suboptimal reproducibility.
Azuara-Blanco
Augusto
A
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland, Aberdeen, United Kingdom. aazblanco@aol.com
Katz
L Jay
LJ
Spaeth
George L
GL
Vernon
Stephen A
SA
Spencer
Fiona
F
Lanzl
Ines M
IM
D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000592:standards; D005104:Expert Testimony; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008511:Medicine / Q000592:standards; D015588:Observer Variation; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000592:standards; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology*; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013038:Specialization