Repeated Same-Day Versus Single Tomography Measurements of Keratoconic Eyes for Analysis of Disease Progression

PURPOSE Corneal tomography is used to assess progression of keratoconus and to direct clinical decisions regarding corneal cross-linking. The purpose of this study was to analyze the variability of repeated Scheimpflug-tomography (Pentacam Classic; Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) measurements of keratoconic eyes in a clinical setting and to assess the validity of such measurements as a clinical decision-making tool. METHODS Eighty keratoconic eyes of 45 patients (age range 16-32 years) were examined at baseline and after follow-up periods of 3 to 6 months using 3 consecutive tomography measurements at each visit. Minimum corneal thickness and anterior sagittal curvature map parameters were studied [simulated keratometry (K) astigmatism (SimKast); maximum simulated K-reading (SimKmax); average SimK (SimKave); maximum K-readings on the 3-mm (Kmax3) and 5-mm (Kmax5) rings; and maximum K-reading (Kmax)]. RESULTS When comparing the first measurements at the first and second visits, respectively, 9% to 20% of eyes were classified as progressive depending on which parameter was chosen. Using the average of 3 consecutive measurements at each visit, 5% to 19% of eyes were classified as progressive. An increase in the SD of 3 consecutive measurements of SimKast (SD_SimKast) at the first visit of 1 diopter makes true progression of keratoconus 3.6 times more likely (odds ratio = 3.6; 95% confidence interval: 0.846-16.027; area under the curve = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS The approach used to analyze progression in keratoconus, that is, single versus repeated measurements, may confer a great impact on the decision to perform corneal cross-linking treatment or not.