SCIENTIFIC CORRESPONDENCE

Variability across the optic nerve head in scanning laser tomography

J C H Tan, D F Garway-Heath and R A Hitchings

Moorfields Eye Hospital and Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Professor R A Hitchings, Glaucoma Research Unit, Moorfields Eye Hospital, City Road, London EC1V 2PD, UK;
roger.hitchings{at}virgin.net

Aim: To characterise measurement variability in scanning laser tomography of the optic nerve head.

Methods: 21 normal and 21 glaucoma subjects underwent same and separate day test-retest Heidelberg retina tomograph imaging by the same and different operators.

Results: Rim area was most reproducible among parameters. Its variability tended to be highest temporally and increased (p<0.05) with testing involving different operators and visits. Nature of regional variability differed between glaucoma and normal eyes and between standard and 320 µm reference planes.

Conclusions: Rim area is reproducible and potentially useful as a marker of progression. Pattern of variability and the influence of different reference planes, disease, operators, and visits should be considered when evaluating progression.

Keywords: optic nerve head; scanning laser tomography

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