The high measurement precision and reliability of the OCT suggests that this instrument is currently the most suitable technique for detection and follow-up of diabetic macular edema. When macular edema is present, the OCT can reliably detect changes of at least 36 microm at the fovea, 55 microm in parafoveal areas below a thickness of 744 microm, and 42 microm in perifoveal areas below a thickness of 1011 microm.
Purpose First, to determine the absolute measurement precision of scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) parameters, by expressing them as 95% limits of agreement (LA 95% ). Second, to propose a method for mathematically estimating the clinical ability of a parameter to monitor disease progression, expressed as the Discriminating Capacity Index (DCI). Methods We measured the optic disc of 14 healthy volunteers and 14 glaucoma patients. LA 95% -values were calculated from the average standard deviation of three measurements on the same day for repeatability, and three measurements on separate days within a 6-week period for reproducibility. We then calculated the DCI by dividing the measurement range by its LA 95% in healthy subjects and glaucoma patients separately. Thus, the DCI takes into account both the dynamic range of disease progression and the extent of measurement variance, providing an index of the possible clinical usefulness of a parameter. As the DCI is dimensionless it allows comparison across various parameters and across technologies.
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