Repeatability and reproducibility of optic disc measurement with the Zeiss 4-mirror contact lens.

BACKGROUND

A simple clinical quantitative method of optic disc diameter measurement using a 4-mirror gonioscope contact lens has been described recently.

METHODS

Intraobserver and interobserver variations are assessed on 77 eyes of 41 patients. Of these eyes, 63 had refractive errors within 3 diopters of emmetropia. The disc was measured by projecting a slit beam of known height onto the disc.

RESULTS

Intraobserver variation: the coefficient of variation was 3.04% for observer 1 (experienced) and 4.76% for observer 2 (novice). The mean of the three measurements by the two observers was not significantly different (P=0.2318). For observer 1, the mean variance of the eyes with higher refractive errors did not differ significantly from the eyes with lower refractive errors. Interobserver variation: the coefficient of variation was 4.52%. The measurements for the novice were slightly larger the smallest discs and slightly smaller for the largest discs (regression analysis P=0.0209).

CONCLUSION

Repeatability and reproducibility for this method are comparable with other methods of measurement. Until experienced with the technique, the authors recommend that the mean of three readings is used.