[Reproducibility of measurements with the Heidelberg retina tomograph in fundus elevations].

PURPOSE

The Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) was intended to evaluate the optic nerve head. It is, however, also possible to measure retinal elevations. There are no systemic data on the reproducibility of HRT measurements of retinal elevations. We now provide such data.

METHODS

117 measurements in patients with diseases which are characterized by retinal elevations were analyzed with the HRT. We measured the "volume above surface" of the retinal elevations. Each patient was analyzed three times, and the coefficient of variation was calculated.

RESULTS

The coefficient of variation was between 0.55% and 40.5%. Some 42% of the coefficients of variation were between 0% and 10%, 31% between 5% and 10%, 21% between 10% and 20%, and 6% larger than 20%.

CONCLUSION

The reproducibility of the HRT measurements in retinal elevations is clinically sufficient. The relation between sufficient reproducibility and accuracy is discussed.