Comparison of immersion ultrasound, partial coherence interferometry, and low coherence reflectometry for ocular biometry in cataract patients

J Refract Surg. 2011 Sep;27(9):665-71. doi: 10.3928/1081597X-20110202-01. Epub 2011 Feb 15.

Abstract

Purpose: To compare ocular biometry parameters measured with immersion ultrasound, partial coherence interferometry, and low coherence reflectometry in cataract patients.

Methods: Measurements of axial length and anterior chamber depth were analyzed and compared using immersion ultrasound, partial coherence interferometry, and low coherence reflectometry. Keratometry (K), flattest axis, and white-to-white measurements were compared between partial coherence interferometry and low coherence reflectometry. Seventy-eight cataract (LOCS II range: 1 to 3) eyes of 45 patients aged between 42 and 90 years were evaluated. A subanalysis as a function of cataract degree was done for axial length and anterior chamber depth between techniques.

Results: No statistically significant differences were noted for the study cohort or within each cataract degree among the three techniques for axial length and anterior chamber depth (P>.05, ANOVA test). Measurements between techniques were highly correlated for axial length (R=0.99) and anterior chamber depth (R=0.90 to 0.96) for all methods. Keratometry, flattest axis, and white-to-white measurements were comparable (paired t test, P>.1) and correlated well between partial coherence interferometry and low coherence reflectometry (K1 [R=0.95), K2 [R=0.97], flattest axis [R=0.95], and white-to-white [R=0.92]).

Conclusions: Immersion ultrasound, partial coherence interferometry, and low coherence reflectometry provided comparable ocular biometry measurements in cataractous eyes.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anterior Chamber / pathology*
  • Axial Length, Eye / pathology*
  • Biometry / methods*
  • Body Weights and Measures
  • Cataract / pathology*
  • Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / instrumentation*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interferometry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ultrasonography