Validation of the color graduation scale in the optical nerve photograph, an alternative for qualitative classification.

BACKGROUND

To validate objectively the proposed Teherán-Morales's color grading scale, comparing to the subjective readings of specialists in optic nerve photography.

METHODS

Concordance study and diagnostic tests, in which 150 photographs of the optic nerve were evaluated, from three groups, glaucomatous neuropathy, neuropathy of other origin and control group with the Teherán-Morales's color scale and the analysis of three experts in optic nerve. Spearman's Rho correlation was performed between both analysis methods.

RESULTS

In the analysis of all the photographs using Spearman's Rho, we found moderate correlations that were statistically significant P < 0.0001, the highest was in the temporal quadrant by observer 1 (r = 0.650 95% CI 0.546-0.733). In photographs of optic neuropathy, the correlations become moderately high, and statistically significant P < 0.0001, the highest correlation was for the temporal quadrant by observer 1 (r = 0.772 95% CI 0.626-0.865). In the glaucoma and normal eyes groups, there were moderate to low correlations with statistical significance P < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

The Teherán-Morales's scale, for color grading, is useful in detecting color, correlates moderately with the subjective assessment of experts in the optic nerve having its best performance in optic neuropathy with very pale discs. However, in normal or glaucomatous optic discs, it has a low correlation, compared to the subjective clinical assessment.