Reproducibility of ocular biometry with a new noncontact optical low-coherence reflectometer in children.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the reproducibility of Lenstar in the pediatric population.

METHODS

Three consecutive measurements per eye by 2 ophthalmologists with a total of 6 measurements per eye were performed using Lenstar. Axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), and corneal curvatures (K1 and K2) were measured for right and left eyes in 154 school-age children. Right and left eyes were analyzed separately. Each optical parameter obtained by 2 examiners was compared by paired samples t test. Intraobserver and interobserver correlation coefficients (r) were calculated for each variable. Significance was attributed when p<0.05.

RESULTS

Measurements could be performed in 152 of the children included. The mean measurements were not different statistically except for left AL (23.22±0.81 vs 23.21±0.82 mm; p=0.014), left CCT (548.5±32.3 vs 548.0±32.7 µm; p=0.013), and right ACD (3.19±0.25 vs 3.19±0.25 mm; p=0.033). Intraobserver r values were all above 0.957 except for left LT (r=0.786) for examiner 2. Interobserver r values were all above 0.979.

CONCLUSIONS

Although statistical significance was obtained in some variables, they were clinically negligible. The intraobserver and interobserver relation coefficients were very high for all optical parameters including the r value for left LT for examiner 2 (r=0.786). Lenstar is a highly reproducible, user independent, and tolerable instrument for ocular biometry in the pediatric population, with no anesthesia or discomfort.