Stratus optical coherence tomogram III: a novel, reliable and accurate way to measure corneal thickness.

The commercially available optical coherence tomogram (Stratus OCT III) designed for posterior segment imaging can be used for central corneal thickness (CCT) measurement. The aim of the study was to determine the accuracy and reliability of CCT measurements using Stratus OCT III versus ultrasound pachymetry. CCT using Stratus OCT III (CCT oct) was taken and averaged. The focusing system had to be defocused near the maximum to relay the image of the OCT beam onto the cornea. CCT was then determined using the ultrasound pachymeter (CCT usg). Thirty white volunteers (12 male, 18 female) participated in this study. The mean CCToct was 522.33+/-34.44 microns. The mean CCTusg was 547.37+/-33.08 microns. The mean differences between CCTusg and CCToct was 25.04+/-11.67. CCT usg was found to be highly correlated with CCToct (P < 0.001) The relation can be represented by the equation. CCToct = 0.98 (CCTusg) - 13.9. The Stratus OCT III gave reliable readings of CCT and is a novel, reliable and accurate way to measure CCT.