Three-dimensional characterisation of the globe position in the orbit

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Current globe position analysis methods (Hertel exophthalmometry, CT) are limited to the axial plane and rely on specific landmarks.
• These limitations hinder accurate assessment in complex orbital conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel method for measuring globe position in axial, coronal, and sagittal planes.
• To create a landmark-independent technique for precise orbital analysis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized three-dimensional CT reconstruction technology to determine globe position via the center of the globe.
• Validated the method using CT scans from control subjects and patients with Graves' orbitopathy.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated excellent inter- and intra-observer reliability (ICC > 0.99).
• Observed a statistically significant globe position shift along the anterior-posterior axis in decompressed orbits (P=0.0005).
• No significant shift was detected along the medial-lateral or superior-inferior axes.

Conclusions:

• The 3D CT method provides accurate and reliable three-dimensional globe position characterization.
• This technique is valuable for assessing globe shifts in proptosis, enophthalmos, hypoglobus, and hyperglobus.
• The method is applicable even with strabismus or orbital bone defects.