Abstract
Purpose To compare the performance of three commercially available tomographers (the Pentacam Scheimpflug camera, the SS-OCT Casia, and the blue light slit-scanning tomographer Precisio) in the identification of patterns associated with Fuchs’ Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD) decompensation.
Methods Clinic-based, cross-sectional imaging study. Pachymetry maps and posterior surface elevation maps were acquired with the three devices from 45 eyes affected by FECD. The maps were graded according to the evidence of tomographic patterns predictive of FECD decompensation (loss of parallel isopachs, displacement of the thinnest point, and focal posterior depression) by two blind cornea specialists.
Results The loss of parallel isopachs was significantly less frequently evident in Pentacam pachymetry maps (4%, 95% CI [1%,15%]) compared with both the Casia (31%, 95% CI [19%, 45%], p=0.01) and Precisio (24%, 95% CI [14%, 39%], p=0.04). The displacement of the thinnest point was graded as most evident in a significantly higher proportion of Precisio pachymetry maps (42%, 95% CI [28%, 57%]) compared to the Pentacam (11%, 95% CI [5%, 24%], p=0.005). There were no significant differences in the identification of focal posterior depression on posterior elevation maps across the three devices.
Conclusions The identification of patterns predictive of FECD prognosis on pachymetry and posterior elevation maps are possible with different devices. Significant differences exist among devices in their ability to identify specific patterns.
