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Repeatability of IOLMaster biometry in children
Andrew Carkeet1, Seang-Mei Saw, Gus Gazzard
1School of Optometry, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. a.carkeet@qut.edu.au
Insights
Partial coherence interferometry (IOLMaster) offers superior repeatability for measuring axial length and anterior chamber depth in children compared to ultrasound. This noninvasive method is recommended as the standard for pediatric eye measurements.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Optics
- Pediatric Optometry
Background:
- Accurate axial length and anterior chamber depth measurements are crucial for understanding refractive error development in children.
- Traditional ultrasound biometry can exhibit variability, potentially impacting longitudinal studies of myopia.
- Advancements in optical biometry offer noninvasive alternatives for ocular measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the measurement repeatability of the IOLMaster (partial coherence interferometry) with conventional ultrasonography in a pediatric population.
- To evaluate the precision of axial length and anterior chamber depth measurements between the two techniques.
Main Methods:
- Measurements were performed on 179 Chinese children (mean age 10.6 years) using both IOLMaster and Echoscan (ultrasound).
- Repeatability was assessed by repeated measurements on 37 subjects.
- Data analysis focused on 95% limits of agreement for repeatability.
Main Results:
- IOLMaster demonstrated significantly better repeatability for axial length (95% LoA: -0.047 to 0.038 mm) than Echoscan (95% LoA: -0.85 to 0.67 mm).
- Repeatability for anterior chamber depth was also superior with IOLMaster (95% LoA: -0.053 to 0.073 mm) compared to Echoscan (95% LoA: -0.57 to 0.49 mm).
- IOLMaster measurements were slightly larger on average for both axial length (0.14 mm) and anterior chamber depth (0.09 mm).
Conclusions:
- Partial coherence interferometry (IOLMaster) is a highly precise and repeatable method for axial length measurement in children.
- The noninvasive nature and ease of use support its adoption as a standard technique in pediatric ophthalmology.
- Optical biometry offers advantages over ultrasound for accurate and reliable ocular biometry in pediatric populations.
Aims:
This study compares the repeatability of IOLMaster (Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany) axial dimension measurements and conventional ultrasonography in children.
Methods:
A series of IOLMaster (partial coherence interferometry, optical pachometry) and Echoscan (US 800, Nidek, Tokyo, Japan) (ultrasound) measurements were taken on 179 Chinese children (mean age, 10.6 +/- 0.8 years) taking part in a longitudinal study of myopia development, and the measurements were repeated on 37 of these subjects.
Results:
IOLMaster axial length measurements showed better repeatability (95% limits of agreement for repeatability, -0.047 to 0.038 mm) than Echoscan axial length measurements (95% limits of agreement for repeatability, -0.85 to 0.67 mm). IOLMaster anterior chamber depth measurements also showed better repeatability (95% limits of agreement for repeatability, -0.053 to 0.073 mm) than Echoscan anterior chamber depth measurements (95% limits of agreement for repeatability, -0.57 to 0.49 mm). IOLMaster measurements were, on average, slightly larger than Echoscan measurements for axial length (by 0.14 mm) and anterior chamber depth (0.09 mm).
Conclusion:
Partial coherence interferometry techniques, such as that used by IOLMaster, should be considered as the standard technique for axial length measurement in children because they are noninvasive, highly precise, and easy to use.