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Post-Mortem Corneal Thickness Measurements with a Portable Optical Coherence Tomography System: a Reliability Study
Pietro Emanuele Napoli1, Matteo Nioi2, Ernesto d'Aloja2
1Department of Surgical Sciences, Eye Clinic, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Scientific Reports
|July 27, 2016
Summary
This study found portable optical coherence tomography (OCT) reliably measures post-mortem central corneal thickness (CCT) in sheep. Measurements showed good repeatability and reproducibility, tracking CCT changes over time after death.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Forensic Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Accurate post-mortem central corneal thickness (CCT) measurement is crucial for various applications, including forensic science and organ transplantation.
- Existing methods may have limitations in repeatability and reproducibility, especially when assessing changes over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the repeatability and reproducibility of post-mortem CCT measurements using a portable spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) system.
- To prospectively evaluate the time-course of post-mortem CCT changes in an animal model.
Main Methods:
- Forty-six sheep ocular globes were analyzed using a portable spectral-domain OCT device.
- Measurements were taken by two operators at multiple postmortem intervals (PMIs), from immediately after death up to 96 hours.
- Repeatability and reproducibility were quantified using coefficients of repeatability, reproducibility, and intraclass correlation coefficients.
Main Results:
- The portable OCT system demonstrated high reliability, with coefficients of repeatability ranging from 0.3% to 3.5% and reproducibility from 0.2% to 3.7%.
- Intraclass correlation coefficients were high across different PMIs, confirming excellent measurement reliability.
- Average CCT initially decreased, then increased, showing peaks at 6 and 24 hours postmortem.
Conclusions:
- Portable OCT is a reliable tool for monitoring post-mortem CCT variations.
- This technology can aid in characterizing corneas before explantation and assessing post-mortem corneal degeneration.
- Findings have potential implications for forensic science and understanding corneal changes after death.
