Repeatability of pachymetric mapping using fourier domain optical coherence tomography in corneas with opacities

To evaluate the repeatability of Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) pachymetric mapping in patients with corneal opacities and to assess the reliability of Fourier domain OCT with 830 nm wavelength as a pachymetric measurement tool in opaque corneas.

A Fourier domain OCT system was used to map the corneal thickness of patients with corneal scars or dystrophy. A retrospective study of a consecutive series was conducted. The repeatability was measured using pooled standard deviation of repeated measurements. A slit-scanning tomography device provided pachymetric mapping for comparison.

Seventeen eyes of 12 patients with corneal scars (7 trauma and 3 post infection) or dystrophy (2 Reis-Bucklers and 5 granular dystrophy) were included. The posterior corneal boundary was detectable in all cases. The average corneal thickness measured by OCT was 536 ± 89 microm in central 2 mm area, 553 ± 76 microm in pericentral 2- to 5-mm area, and 508 ± 93 microm for the minimum corneal thickness. The slit-scanning tomography central corneal thickness, 433 ± 111 microm, was significantly lower than OCT readings (mean difference -91.1 ± 33.3 microm, P = 0.002). Repeatability of the OCT measurements was 2.1 microm centrally and 1.2 microm pericentrally.

Pachymetric mapping with Fourier domain OCT was highly repeatable. Fourier domain OCT is a reliable pachymetric tool in opaque corneas. In comparison, corneal thickness measured by the slit-scanning tomography is significantly thinner than those measured by the Fourier domain OCT in the presence of corneal opacities.