Pentacam sensitivity and specificity in detecting occludable angles.

PURPOSE: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of Pentacam measurements in detection of occludable angles and to provide cutoff values.

METHODS

Observational, single-center, cross-sectional study on 64 Caucasian eyes: 28 (43.7%) primary narrow angles or primary angle-closure glaucoma, and 36 (56.2%) controls: all subjects were evaluated and classified by gonioscopy (Shaffer classification). The following measurements have been considered: superior and inferior anterior chamber angle (ACA), temporal and nasal ACA, anterior chamber depth (ACD) using 5 value representation (central, superior, inferior, nasal, temporal), and anterior chamber volume (ACV). Validity of Pentacam parameters to detect patients in Shaffer 0 or I class was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis; cutoffs were chosen as to maximize sensitivity and specificity.

RESULTS

All the considered Pentacam measures were statistically different between the 2 groups (p<0.0001). All Shaffer grade groups differed in all parameters (p<0.001), except for grade 0 and I, which did not differ in any. Area under the curve ROC analysis revealed high discriminant power of all Pentacam measures: ACA = 0.94; ACD = 0.91; ACD central = 0.89; and ACV = 0.89. Chosen cutoff values (ACA = 22.4°; ACD = 1.12 mm; ACD central = 1.93 mm; ACV = 84 mm3) allowed correct classification of narrow angles.

CONCLUSIONS

The study pointed out a high power of Pentacam AVA, ACV, and ACD in detecting occludable angles. Pentacam is simple to use, reliable, and noncontact, provides parameters in a short period, and represents a possible screening tool.