Slit-lamp exophthalmometry, a novel technique.

PURPOSE: Exophthalmometry is clinically important for diagnoses, follow-up, and treatment decision-making. Through the years, several drawbacks and sources of error have been described when using Hertel and other exophthalmometers.

METHODS

We describe a simple method of non-touch slit-lamp exophthalmometry. Comparing the results between Hertel and slit-lamp exophthalmometry on 60 patients with proptosis showed no statistically significant differences in the two methods.

RESULTS

A total of 60 consecutive patients with proptosis were included. Thirty-six cases (60 %) were women. Their mean age was 55.6 ± 16.4 (median 57.5, range 20-87) years. Only 5 % of the measurements had more than 2 mm difference between the two techniques. There were no significant differences in the measurements between the two methods. Intra-correlation coefficient is 0.96 for right side and 0.956 for lest side. The Bland-Altman plot revealed good agreement.

CONCLUSIONS

Slit-lamp exophthalmometry offers a simple, easily available, and reliable non-touch technique that does not require an exophthalmometer.