Reproducibility of standardized retroillumination photography for quantification of posterior capsule opacification

To determine the short-term reproducibility of standardized digital retroillumination images of regeneratory posterior capsule opacification (PCO) using the photographic setup at 1 institution.

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

In this prospective study, 60 retroillumination images of 30 eyes with varying degrees of PCO and different types of intraocular lenses were acquired with a standardized digital coaxial retroillumination system. Two images were taken per eye with a 1-minute interval between images. Ten other eyes were photographed in the same way but with a 5-day interval between the 2 images. All images were evaluated with a fully automated, objective PCO analysis software in which the PCO score was from 0 to 100. The 2 results (A, B) in each eye were compared, and the differences were calculated.

There was a high correlation between the A and B results (r = 0.99). The mean absolute difference was 3.7%. The repeatability coefficient was 8.8%.

Digital coaxial retroillumination photography provided quick acquisition of regeneratory PCO images. It provided excellent image quality and high reproducibility. The technique forms a good basis for automated quantification of PCO with new software systems.