Repeatability and reproducibility of optic nerve head topography using the retinal thickness analyzer.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to determine the reproducibility and repeatability of topographic disk parameters with the retinal thickness analyzer (RTA).


METHODS
Thirty-nine eyes of 39 healthy subjects were included. Three observers performed three consecutive measurements of optic disk topography independently. Combined repeatability (intra-observer component of variability) and reproducibility (inter-observer component of variability, R and R) was assessed by variance component analysis.


RESULTS
Six topographic parameters (disk area, cup area, cup volume, mean cup depth, maximum depth, and cup shape measure) revealed an acceptable repeatability and reproducibility expressed as the percentage of the total measurement variability (range 17.6-28.4%). The average reproducibility and repeatability of all optic disk parameters measured using the RTA was not acceptable (combined R and R = 33.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Repeatability and reproducibility of the optic disk topography analysis using the RTA reveals a high variation, and should, therefore, be interpreted carefully for glaucoma diagnosis and for monitoring the disease.
Hoffmann
Esther M
EM
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany. ehoffmann@glaucoma.ucsd.edu
Medeiros
Felipe A
FA
Kramann
Christina
C
Pfeiffer
Norbert
N
Grus
Franz H
FH
D000328:Adult; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012160:Retina / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014792:Visual Acuity