MEASUREMENT OF ULTRASOUND BIOMICROSCOPY IMAGES - INTRAOBSERVER AND INTEROBSERVER RELIABILITY

Purpose. To evaluate intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility o f measurement of images obtained during ultrasound biomicroscopy. Meth ods. Four anterior segment images of four normal patients were obtaine d by a single examiner. The measurements of three independent observer s were compared to assess interobserver reproducibility in quantifying the images. Thirteen different anterior segment parameters were measu red by each observer on each image. Intraobserver and interobserver re producibility of measurement were assessed by calculating the coeffici ent of variation for each individual observer and by using the F test to detect a difference among observers. Results. Intraobserver reprodu cibility was high. Interobserver reproducibility for the measured para meters varied considerably and was affected by subjective interpretati on of visualized anatomic landmarks. Conclusions. The optimal paramete rs for quantitative ultrasound biomicroscopy require refinement. Measu rements of alterable parameters are best measured presently by a singl e observer. Ultrasound biomicroscopy has the potential to elucidate an atomic relationships underlying much anterior segment disease, but cau tion in interpreting quantitative differences is warranted.