Comparability of subjective and objective measurements of nuclear density in cataract patients

Session Details

Session Title: Imaging Anterior Segment

Session Date/Time: Monday 07/09/2015 | 14:30-16:30

Paper Time: 14:30

Venue: Room 11

First Author: : N.Makhotkina THE NETHERLANDS

Co Author(s): :    T. Berendschot   F. van den Biggelaar   A. Weik   R. Nuijts           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To compare the subjective nucleus grading by the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III) with the objective measurements of the lens density by Scheimpflug photography (Pentacam HR, Oculus) and the Utrecht Macular Pigment Reflectometer (MPR).

Setting:

University Eye Clinic, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Methods:

Cross-sectional study. The study population included 101 eyes of 67 patients with different types and stages of cataract. Lens opacities were graded at the slit lamp under standard settings using the LOCS III. Nuclear opacities (NO) and nuclear color (NC) were measured and NO used for the assessment of the comparability. The linear density of the nucleus and the Pentacam Nucleus Staging (PNS) were measured using the Pentacam lens densitometry program. Subsequently, MPR measurements were performed and an estimated lens age was calculated by the software. The relationship between the different measurement techniques was assessed using Spearman correlation coefficients.

Results:

LOCS III grading resulted in the mean NO of 3.35 ± 0.77 and mean NC of 3.47 ± 0.23. There was a significant positive linear correlation (p < 0.01) between NO and linear density (r = 0.70), NO and PNS (r = 0.63) and NO and the estimated lens age (r = 0.41). There was a low positive linear correlation between the estimated lens age and both linear density and PNS (r = 0.25, p = 0.015 and r = 0.24, p = 0.02 respectively).

Conclusions:

Lens density measurements performed by LOCS III and Scheimpflug photography were strongly correlated. Low to moderate correlation was found with the MPR measurements. This might be explained by limitations of the MPR software in the estimation of the lens age and by interference of advanced cortical and posterior subscapular opacities with the accuracy of the MPR measurements

Financial Interest:

NONE